Gay Like Me

A while back, I re-connected on Facebook with a high school classmate.  He and I were pretty good friends back then, but lost touch when we went to different colleges.  I was pretty sure he was gay like me, although we certainly never talked about it or acted on it, unless you call dancing to Manilow in his bedroom "acting on it."  He was absolutely obsessed with Manilow and Cher and was crushed when Sonny and Cher got divorced.  See what I mean by gay like me?

According to his Facebook page, he's married with kids and lives in South Carolina.  He lists "spending time with family" as his favorite activity and posts about all the wholesome family time he spends with his wife and kids.  Wife, wife, wife, kids, kids, kids.  Could a boy who kept a scrapbook on Cher's divorce possibly grow up to be heterosexual? 

Then, the other day this 50ish southern straight dude joined a Facebook fan page for...

wait for it...

wait for it...

Tina Louise.

Doctor Treating Women with Experimental Drug to Prevent Lesbians

Dan Savage is reporting that a doctor in Florida is treating women with an experiemental and potentially quite dangerous drug called dexamethasone or dex, in an effort to:

"prevent the births of girls who display an "abnormal" disinterest in babies, don't want to play with girls' toys or become mothers, and whose "career preferences" are deemed to "masculine."

Other scientists are conducting research into preventing congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) which can cause ambiguous genitalia in baby girls, but Maria New of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Florida International University is reportedly taking it a step further by trying to prevent lesbianism. 

"In a previous Bioethics Forum post, Alice Dreger noted an instance of a prospective father using knowledge of the fraternal birth order effect to try to avoid having a gay son by a surrogate pregnancy. There may be other individualized instances of parents trying to ensure heterosexual children before birth. But the use of prenatal dexamethasone treatments for CAH represents, to our knowledge, the first systematic medical effort attached to a “paradigm” of attempting in utero to reduce rates of homosexuality, bisexuality, and “low maternal interest.”

Has Twilight of the Golds come true?  As Dan Savage put it:

"So no more Elena Kagans, no more Donna Shalalas, no more Martina Navratilovas, no more k.d. langs, no more Constance McMillens—because all women must grow up to suck dick, crank out babies, and do women's work. And the existence of adult women who are not interested in "becoming someone's wife" and "making babies" constitutes a medical emergency that requires women who are currently pregnant to be treated with an experimental hormone. Otherwise their daughters could grow up to, um, be nominated to sit on the Supreme Court, serve as cabinet secretaries, take 18 Grand Slam singles titles, win Grammies, or take their girlfriends to prom."

Is science trying to destroy us? 

This is Not From the Onion

American politics have officially moved beyond parody.

Arrested Development

Jason Bateman stood in line with 2000 other people outside an LA Apple store to get the new iPhone.  An "Apple guy," undoubtedly a Teenwolf Two fan, recognized him and escorted him into the store ahead of everyone else.  There were reports that the crowd booed and hissed, but Jason has set the record straight via Twitter and assured a concerned world that no one booed.  He was plucked from the line so he could escape the paparazzi.  Because there's no one the paps love more than Michael Bluth.

I think the take-away point of this story is that Jason Bateman stood in line to get the new iPhone.  Look for a new round of gay rumors. 

Supreme Court Rules Against Christian Group that Barred Gays

Today, the US Supreme Court ruled against a Christian student group at a law school that barred gays.  The Court ruled, 5 to 4, that the 1st Amendment rights of the Christian Legal Society at San Francisco's Hastings School of Law were not infringed when the school withdrew official recognition.  The school has a non-discrimination policy that states that student organizations may not turn away members due to religious beliefs or sexual orientation.  CLS requires voting members sign a statement of faith and regards "unrepentant participation in or advocacy of a sexually immoral lifestyle" as being inconsistent with that faith. 

"In requiring CLS — in common with all other student organizations — to choose between welcoming all students and forgoing the benefits of official recognition, we hold, Hastings did not transgress constitutional limitations," said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who wrote the 5-4 majority opinion for the court's liberals and moderate Anthony Kennedy. "CLS, it bears emphasis, seeks not parity with other organizations, but a preferential exemption from Hastings' policy."

Justice Kennedy voted with the majority, as he did in Lawrence v. Texas, the landmark decision that struck down Texas' sodomy laws.

The CLS has chapters at universities nationwide and has won similar lawsuits in other courts.  This ruling is a major setback for the group. 

The Supreme Court also refused to hear an appeal from a group of parents from Plano Independent School District, just north of Dallas, regarding distribution of religious materials at school.  The case got a great deal of publicity locally and involved candy canes with explicit Christian messages affixed.  The Plano ISD allowed the materials to be distributed before and after school and at recess and lunch.  The parents alleged that their kids' First Amendment rights were infringed.  A lower court ruled for the school district.  Now that the Supreme Court has denied cert, the lower court ruling stands. 

Eartha Kitt Wins Emmy!

Miss Eartha Kitt may have died on Christmas Day 2008, but she's still collecting honors.  At last night's Daytime Emmy Awards, she won for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for her performance as Cool Cat on Nickelodeon's The Wonder Pets.  Cool Cat sounds like a role tailor-made for her.  

This is her fourth Emmy.  She won Daytime Emmys in the same category in 2008 and 2009.  She also won a primetime Emmy for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Drama for I Spy in 1966.  Then there are her two Tony nominations, her Drama Desk Award nomination, her Image Award nomination, and on and on.

Happy Pride!

I have no idea who this fit young man is, but there seems to be something happening in his pants.  Perhaps a pen for drag queen autographs?  Too much starch?  I thought maybe my readers could help me figure out what it is.  I've already spent hours staring and staring, trying to come up with the answer. 

Shamelessly stolen from this Flickr stream from yesterday's New York Pride Parade. 

Senator Robert Byrd: 1917-2010

Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia has died at the age of 92.  He was the longest serving Senator ever and, when his time as Member of the House of Representatives is figured in, longest serving member of Congress.  His career took him from membership in the Klan as a young man to support of repealing Don't Ask/Don't Tell as an old one.  He called his Klan membership "a sad mistake" and publicly apologized for it in 1952, when he first ran for the House, but it continued to cause problems for him his entire life.  He voted for civil rights legislation in 1957 and 1960, but filibustered the 1964 Civil Rights Bill. 

He may be best known for bringing home the bacon to West Virginia.  He was unapologetic for using his influence to pump federal dollars into his state and saw it as a proud legacy.  When I was in Washington, people often joked that the entire capitol would move to West Virginia if Byrd got his way.  It wasn't far from the truth.    

He was preceded in death by his wife, Erma, to whom he was married for 68 years.  He is survived by two daughters as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His replacement will be appointed by Democratic Governor Joe Manchin. 

Monday's Man: Cheyenne Jackson

In honor of the end of Pride Month, I present openly gay Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson.

In all his glory.  Well, almost all his glory.  I saw him in person in a restaurant in New York a few months ago.  He was having dinner with the adorable Michael Feinstein and their respective significant others.  Thank goodness I brought my smelling salts because Cheyenne is far more striking in person than he is in pictures. 

 

Seven Years Ago Today

On this day in 2003, the US Supreme Court handed down their landmark decision in Lawrence v. Texas, overturning the Texas sodomy law and similar laws in other states.  In so doing, the Court took away a chief weapon used by the haters to restrict our freedom.  On this Pride weekend, it is appropriate to remember the courage of John Lawrence and Tyron Gardner, pictured above, who fought for justice for all of us. 

If you have never read Justice Kennedy's majority opinion in the case, you owe it to yourself to do so.  Here is an excerpt:

"The petitioners are entitled to respect for their private lives. The State cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime. Their right to liberty under the Due Process Clause gives them the full right to engage in their conduct without intervention of the government. “It is a promise of the Constitution that there is a realm of personal liberty which the government may not enter.” Casey, supra, at 847. The Texas statute furthers no legitimate state interest which can justify its intrusion into the personal and private life of the individual."


Happy Pride.

World Cup Pic of the Day

It's President Clinton enjoying a Bud with US footballer Carlos Bocanegra.  Hot. 

Mehcad.Shirtless.GQ

What more do you need to know?

Happy Friday.

Sugar Sands

That's what they call the beaches of Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast.  Look at Pensacola Beach now:



via Joe.My.God

One Year Ago Today

The Guy Who's Running Against Joe Barton

Did you know that Rep. Joe Barton has a Democratic opponent?  I didn't either, but his name is David Cozad and here's his rather odd website.  He calls himself a "Green Dog Democrat" because of his enthusiastic embrace of environmentalism.  I think that's great, but it may be a hard sell in Texas oil country.  The 6th Congressional District is suburban/rural and incredibly red, but after Barton's apology to BP, followed by his apology for the apology and his apology for the apology for the apology, a Dem might just have a chance.  A Recent poll shows that only 18% of Texans agree with Barton.  Admittedly, that is not the same thing as saying people in the 6th District think he's wrong enough to vote against him, but it's not good news for Barton.  If I ran the DNC, I'd pump some money into Cozad's race, starting with a webmaster. 

Oscar Move? Probably No. Betty White? Probably Yes

Tuesday, Nikki Finke reported an "EXCLUSIVE OSCAR SHOCKER!!!" that the AMPAS Board of Directors were discussing moving the Oscar ceremonies to January.   The breathless article ("this would be a shocking change") apparently made waves in Hollywood and brought mixed reactions.  It doesn't appear to be true.  Oscar producer Don Mischer gave an interview to the LA Times and said:

"When I read that in Nikki Finke’s column I was completely surprised. I do know that it would not be happening for the show we’re doing. If you want to make that kind of change you have to plan for that a year and a half in advance. I understand why the academy might want to consider it. But it’s not going to change anything this year."

He also said he's still looking for a host and all options are open:

"I'm sure we’ll get a big push for Betty White. I can feel it coming...I think she'd be great in some capacity. [Laughs.] I don't know if she'd want to host the whole show."

AZ State Senator Humiliated by High School Journalist

Watch this video of Republican AZ Sen. and candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal getting totally owned by high school journalist Keith Wagner.  It's almost painful to watch:

Next Fall to Close

Next Fall, the brilliant play that Wes and I were privileged to see on Broadway, will play its final performance at the Helen Hayes Theater on July 4.  If you have not seen it and can find any way to go, do it.  The play centers on a gay couple:  one a conservative Christian from the deep south and the other a New York atheist.  It's about life and death, love and loss, God and man.  Plus, laughs!  It was Tony-nominated for Best Play, although criminally, it received no acting nominations.  Cotter Smith and Connie Ray are stand-outs.

McChrystal Out, Petraeus In

President Obama has relieved General Stanley McChrystal of command because of comments made in a Rolling Stone article.  He has been replaced with General David Petraeus.  McChrystal said the article was "a mistake reflecting poor judgment and should never have happened."  President Obama said:

"I believe that this mission demands unity of effort across our alliance and across my national security team. And I don't think that we can sustain that unity of effort and achieve our objectives in Afghanistan without making this change."

Prince Albert Engaged

Prince Albert of Monaco has gotten engaged to beautiful South African Charlene Wittstock.  The tiny nation has not had a crown princess since the death of Princess Grace 30 years ago.  She is a former world-class swimmer who competed for her country at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.  They have the Olympics in common as Albert has competed as a bobsledder five times and serves on the International Olympic Committee.  No date has been set. 

Nikki Haley Wins in Landslide

State Rep. Nikki Haley easily won her run-off for the GOP nomination for South Carolina governor yesterday, beating Congressman Gresham Barrett.  She has become the first woman to win a major party's nomination for Governor.  She sloughed off dubious allegations of marital infidelity and a particularly ugly campaign accusing her of not being Christian enough.  She's a Methodist, but apparently that's not enough for some Republicans, including State Rep. Boss Hogg Jake Knotts who actually said 

"Have you ever asked her if she believes in Jesus Christ as her lord and savior, and that he died on the cross for her sins? Have you ever asked her that?"

Apparently that's a requirement for office now.  Haley was criticized by at least one county GOP chair and prominent preachers for (horrors) attending annual Sikh religious services with her Indian immigrant parents and for participating in both Methodist and Sikh ceremonies when she married her husband, Michael.  How dare she honor her parents and her heritage!  Knotts is a particularly loathsome creature who called Haley and President Obama "ragheads" in a radio interview.  He's also a close ally of French Lieutenant's woman Governor Andre' Bauer, which is telling.  You are known by the company you keep.

Nikki is a conservative, Sarah Palin endorsed Republican, make no mistake.   She will run against Democratic State Senator Vincent Sheheen in November.  Her website make no mention of gay issues, but I would not look to her to be our friend.  Don't interpret anything I've said as indicating I support her, but I do think it's interesting that she's making a few Christianist heads explode.      

No Wonder the Traffic's So Bad

According to the latest Census Bureau figures, the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the US.  Between 2000 and 2009, it grew 24%, to an estimated 6.5 million people.  It's not hard to understand why.  The state is experiencing an immigration boom plus large numbers of people from elsewhere in the country are flowing in.  Dallas is a business magnet with hoardes of corporate headquarters and major operations including Exxon/Mobile, FexEx/Kinkos, Dr. Pepper, JC Penney, Pizza Hut, American Airlines, Mary Kay, and the list goes on and on.  There's no state income tax, a relatively low cost of living, an amazing new downtown arts center, a large downtown park under construction, a major airport, and of course, a large, visible, vibrant and fabulous gay community.  If you can take the heat and handle all the Republicans in the suburbs (I just stay south of 635), it's a great place to live.      

Smells Like Crass Spirit

From Joe.My.God comes this incredibly tasteless ad from Spirit buslines airlines.  Remind me never to fly them. 

Hillary: "Human Rights are Gay Rights and Gay Rights are Human Rights, Once and for All."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was the first and so far only First Lady to march in a pride parade, gave a speech to mark Pride Month.  Here's an excerpt:

"But think about what’s happening to people as we speak today. Men and women are harassed, beaten, subjected to sexual violence, even killed, because of who they are and whom they love. Some are driven from their homes or countries, and many who become refugees confront new threats in their countries of asylum. In some places, violence against the LGBT community is permitted by law and inflamed by public calls to violence; in others, it persists insidiously behind closed doors.


These dangers are not “gay” issues. This is a human rights issue. (Applause.) Just as I was very proud to say the obvious more than 15 years ago in Beijing that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights, well, let me say today that human rights are gay rights and gay rights are human rights, once and for all."

Watch the whole thing here. 

There's a reason why I voted for Hillary Clinton.  And gave money.  And went to her rallies.  And put out a yard sign. And caucused for her. 

Monday's Man: Alberto de la Bella

In honor of the World Cup (is that still going on?) I present Spanish footballer Alberto de la Bella.  Yeah, I had never heard of him either until I came across his ad for Dirk Bikkembergs undies.  Dirk features 11 hot footballers in his 2010 advertising campaign and I salute him for it! 

  Here's Alberto from a different point of view.  Just take it in for a few minutes.  Or hours. 

Here he is with some of his fellow models/footballers.  Alberto is Mr. C. 

Not enough?  Watch the video below, but you might want to sit down first.    Prepare to swoon at the 1.02 mark, and keep swooning all the way to the end.

 

Was "Chicago-Style Shakedown" a BP/GOP Idea?

We've all heard Rep. Joe Barton apologize to BP for the escrow fund announced by President Obama, which Barton called a "tragedy of the first order."  Newt Gingrich, Michelle Bachman and many others have condemned this as a "Chicago-style shakedown" of poor, oppressed BP.  Yet, Dave Weigel of The Washington Post has reported that the $20 Billion fund was BP's idea, urged on by Republican Rep. Cao of Louisiana over a month ago.  As conservative David Frum said:

"This story is another example of the harm done by allowing talk radio & Fox – rather than elected officials and aspiring candidates – to define the GOP. Anybody heard any objection to the escrow fund from Mitt Romney? Has Mitch Daniels termed it a “shakedown”? Bobby Jindal seems cool with the idea, ditto Mitch McConnell. But these real leaders are crowded out by people trying to bump ratings a point or two by inciting another prime time hour’s worth of anti-Obama indignation."

This reminds me of the death panels.  A thougful, end of life counseling provision inserted into the health care bill by conservative Republican Senator Isakson of Georgia morphed into Obama wants to kill grandma. 

If President Obama appointed Jesus Christ to the Supreme Court, Newt Gingrich would go on Fox News to denounce Christ's ties to prostitution.

SC Dems Keep Greene

The South Carolina Democratic Party Executive Committee voted down a proposal from Victor Rawl to hold another Senate primary.  That means, for now, unemployed veteran-with-a-pending-vice-charge Alvin Greene remains the Democratic nominee who will face Jim DeMint in November.  Realistically, what else were they going to do?  Greene got 60% of the vote, although there have been allegations of voter fraud.  How did Greene do it?  Listen to one Carolina girl who has apparently lost her sense of shame:



h/t, LC NY Bureau Chief Doug

The Perfect Gift, Always the Right Size

Have you been missing your soft-core twink porn?  The Abercrombie and Fitch Quarterly is back.  Order yours today. 

Oh, and by the way, my birthday's coming up.

Is it my imagination or did he steal Idina Menzel's look?

Defying Gravity

Last night, Wes and I had the privilege of seeing Idina Menzel perform with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in the Myerson Symphony Center.  I expected it to be good, but I had no idea how wonderful it would be.  The show was sold-out and the crowd was pumped for her.  Who knew Idina Menzel had so many fans in Dallas?  I don't think she did and she seemed a bit overwhelmed.  After Rent and Wicked and now Glee, I guess it's not a big surprise. 

But I'm getting ahead of myself.  The first thing you notice about her are the curves.  J.Lo has nothing on Idina.  She came out in a slinky black gown with a jeweled neckline with a lavaliere hanging far down the back, bouncing off a body part that nobody could miss.  I half expected her to break into Dance 10 Looks 3.  She is definitely not a skinny actress, yet for all her prominent orchestra and balcony, her stomach was completely flat.  I don't know how a woman sculpts a body like that.  Speaking of sculpted bodies, she mentioned her husband and described him as "really hot."  That's an understatement.  She had lots of fun banter including a description of performing Don't Rain on my Parade for Barbra Streisand.  Putting in a little plug for the upcoming Funny Girl revival maybe?  She also talked about Glee and performed Poker Face from the show.  The crowd ate it up.  "Bluffin' with my muffin" with the Dallas Symphony.  Incredible.  I think that line went over the heads of the blue-hair season subscribers, but the Gleeks and gays loved it. 

The high point came towards the end when she sang a few rainbow-oriented songs.  We had an idea what was coming, but then she surprised us all when she put down the mike, the orchestra fell silent and she sang For Good from Wicked a capella.  Let me repeat, she did this without a mike.  In this sold-out, magnificent symphony hall, there was no sound but her beautiful, natural voice.  Extraordinary.  When she finished everybody jumped to their feet and roared.  I've never experienced such applause.  Then she picked up the mike, the orchestra came back to life and she launched into Defying Gravity.  When she finished, the applause was deafening.  There's a reason why she won the Tony.

The Myerson was built for this sort of performance.  The acoustics are impeccable and this was the perfect marriage of artist and venue. 

We demanded two encores.  We simply would not go home.  The first she clearly planned for and she performed a soulful, touching arrangement of The Sun Will Come Out from Annie.  Just lovely.  The second encore was obviously unexpected but she rose to the challenge and performed George Gershwin's Embrace Me.  Flawless.

UPDATE:  She's on tour, so click here and see if she's coming to your city.  If she is, GO!

Prop 8 Closing Arguments Complete

The closing arguments in the Prop 8 trial concluded yesterday with Ted Olson arguing for equality and Charles Cooper arguing for continued discrimination (I'm biased, sue me).  By all accounts, things went very well for our side.  Olson is one of the best lawyers in the nation and we are lucky to have him advocating for us. 

Cooper contended that Prop 8 can only be overturned if there is no rational basis for it.  His arguments focused on procreation as that rational basis. Amazingly, when Judge Walker asked for evidence that procreation is the basis for marriage, he said evidence is unnecessary because it's self-evident.  As a lawyer, I find that answer stunning.  When a judge asks for evidence that means you have failed as a lawyer unless you can point to some.  As a human being, I find it absurd.  My sister married at the age of 57 with her grown daughter as her maid of honor.  I really don't think procreation was the basis of that marriage, yet the Catholic priest did not hesitate to perform the ceremony.  My sister is straight and married a man.  If procreation really is the basis for marriage law, why are gays the only ones prohibited from marrying because of our supposed inability to procreate?

Olson, on the other hand, argued brilliantly, by all accounts.  He argued that marriage is a fundamental right and there is no good reason to deny that right to gays.  He argued that Prop 8 fails under either rational basis or strict scrutiny.  Strict scrutiny is the legal standard by which laws affecting people due to race are examined.  Federal courts have not applied it to gays.

Here's Kate Kendall of the National Center for Lesbian Rights on her impressions of the closing arguments:

Prop 8 Case Closing Arguments Right Now

The closing arguments in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the case that challenged the Constitutionality of California's ban on marriage equality, are beginning now.  You can follow a live-blog here. 

Sparkle in New Mexico

I was excited to see an article in today's New York Times about Gruet winery in Albuquerque.  Gruet's sparkling wines are highly regarded and becoming widely available.  Take it from me, they are wonderful.  In fact, we chose it for our wedding reception in 2007. 

We've spent a lot of time in New Mexico over the years and will be in Santa Fe for my birthday in August (a big one).  This article makes me wish I was in the Land of Enchantment right now. 

My father always said that everyone should keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge at all times "for emergencies."  I am my father's son.

Adventures in Target Marketing

Imagine my surprise yesterday to receive an invitation to discover "The Manhattan Second Home Designed for Your Lifestyle."  Wow!  A personal invitation just for me?  It featured a large picture of Alice Tully Hall (as if that's were I would be living) and another picture of a cute gay couple embracing with excitement over their thrilling Manhattan Life.  You can see them in the poor-quality Blackberry picture below.  Plus, there's a website just for me!  It's http://www.myfullname.mynyclub.com/ (the real one had my actual full name, but this link works).  My own club in Manhattan!  I must be really important and discerning and thank you Phillips Club at Lincoln Square for recognizing that. 

In other words, the marketing gods know all about me.  They know all about you.  They know all about all of us.  They know I travel to New York and love it.  They know I'm gay.  They know I'm a sucker for a little upscale pretension.  What they don't know is there's no way in hell that I could afford a second home in Manhattan even if it's only a cheesy timeshare. 

The Tonys Need a Home

Radio City Music Hall is booked next June so the Tonys have to find a new theater.  That's not as easy as it sounds since Radio City has a unique combination of seating capacity, acoustics and location.  Madison Square Garden is out because it'll be under renovation. 

The Tonys have been at Radio City since 1997 except for 1999 when they were held at the Gershwin Theater.  Among the candidates are the Apollo, the Beacon, the Broadway and the Marquis Theaters.  What do you think?  Where should the Tonys go?

Doug, your apartment is probably a tad small but the location would be perfect. 

Breaking: DeMint Leading Greene

The first polling is out in the hotly contested South Carolina Senate race and incumbant gay bashing religious fanatic Republican Jim DeMint has a narrow lead over regular guy Alvin Greene.  If you call 37 points narrow.  But that still means 21% of voters plan to vote for Greene over DeMint, and that's from a Rasmussen poll and everybody knows they skew Republican, right?  I'll bet Alvin's really only 33 or 34 points behind.  You can totally do it Alvin!  That is, unless that July 12 court date for a felony obscenity charge doesn't go well.  That could be a real game changer. 

The whole Alvin Greene saga is beyond bizarre, even by Palmetto State standards.  He is an unemployed veteran who lives with his dad outside Manning.  He's represented by the public defender after being charged with disseminating obscene materials, which implies that he is indigent.  Yet, he waltzed into the SC Democratic Party headquarters, handed them a check for $10,400.00 and got himself on the ballot for the United States Senate primary.  And he won.  He won big.  His opponent, Victor Rawl, is a former judge, State Representative, and Charleston County Council member with incredible academic credentials (OK, my academic credentials) and Greene beat him with 60% of the vote.  That means that 60% of SC Democrats had no idea who either candidate was and just voted for the first guy.  Or maybe they thought he was Al Green.  Hey, do you have a better theory? 

If you've seen any of the Alvin Greene interviews, he doesn't seem like the sharpest guy.  In fact, I'd go out on a limb and call him slow.  I'm not the only one who thinks so.  Gawker's Adrian Chen found an old Army colleague of Greene's who described him as "not all there mentally." 

"During the first couple of weeks of working with him, myself and most everyone else noticed that he wasn't all there mentally. Whenever he was given a simple task such as filling a temporary hand receipt it would never get done, mainly because he didn't know how to fill one out. And this is the most fundamental part of the job."

He goes on to opine that it's quite possible that the $10,400.00 filing fee was Greene's own money.  He lived simply while in the military and could have saved that much cash.  Maybe.  That still leaves unanswered the question why would he spend all that money to run for the Senate? 

It's the Tonys!

Last night was Tony night at our house!  Of course I would have live blogged the show if I had a lap top knew how to live blog.  Instead, I took notes and texted LC NY Bureau Chief Doug all night.  Here's my stream of unconsciousness:

The show is opening with Sean Hayes at the piano. Who knew?  He plays well and I've never seen him look so cute.

Million Dollar Quartet feels like something that's been done on B-way about a dozen times.  I think it's telling that the Tonys have opened with a song that's not original. 

Now Kristin Chenowith (who I love) and Sean are doing a number from Promises, Promises.  Finally, a song written for Broadway.  Of course, it's 40+ years old. 

Kristin looks great.  Bitch stole my dress.

I love Sherrie Renee Scott and her plus size back-up singers.

La Cage!  Les Cagelles!  Finally some color and sass!  Those girls look fabulous.  This is the show I most want to see and Doug, that bitch, just got tickets.  I expect a detailed review Doug!

Apparently the Tonys have turned into a Green Day concert.  I'm surprised I recognize any of the songs.  I think it's time for a wine refill. 

I'm back and Billy Joe whatshisname is still singing.  I'm sure the Tonys have totally nailed the youthful demographic with this rock concert from 2001.

Why is Will Smith here? 

Sean Hayes tonguing Kristin Chenowith is just wrong.  And kinda gross.  But hey, who says gays can't play straight?

Daniel Radcliffe and Katie Holmes are here to announce Best Featured Actress in a Play.  Unfortunately Daniel is not in his Equus costume.  Katie's boobs are all smushed.  With all of Tom's money she can't afford a dress that fits? 

Scarlett Johansson won for A View From a Bridge.  I would say it's star fucking but she got rave reviews.  She looks great. Love her hair.  Love her husband more.  She seems genuinely overwhelmed and her speech is lovely.

OMG it's Doug's next husband Ricky Martin!  He's set to star as Che in the upcoming revival of Evita.  See what happens when you come out?

Million Dollar Quartet looks like a total bore.

Eddie Redmane won Best Featured Actor in a Play for Red.  Did Justin Bieber do his hair?  Am I just jealous because he has so much?

It's a scene from La Cage!  Douglas Hodge in drag going out into the audience.  Matthew Morrison just slipped him some $.  Adorable.  Hodge should win. 

Antonio Banderis is still handsome but needs to back away from the hair gel.  He's going to play Zorba?  With his thick Spanish accent, how will he play Greek?  I guess the producers are counting on American audiences not knowing the difference.  It'll be Zorba the Spaniard. 

Director of a play went to Red.  It will sweep.

Director of a Musical went to La Cage!  I've got to get to NY and see it. 

Chris Noth is introducing a brief description of all the Best Play nominees.  The Next Fall guys are hilarious. That play should win but won't.

Jon Bon Jovi is what, 60?  He looks fucking hot.  Seriously.  Did he make a deal with the devil?  Can I sign up for that?

Best Featured Actress in a Musical is Katie Finneran from Promises, Promises.  Karine Plantadit's name was flashed as the winner.  I guess this is an upset? 

Mark Sanchez at the Tonys?  Is it just because he's hot?  I can live with that.  You can tell gay men run this thing.

Featured Actor in a musical is Levi Kreis from Million Dollar Quartet.  He didn't kiss his handsome boyfriend!  What was that reluctant hug about? 

Broadway Legend Barbara Cook didn't win in her category.  Her gays are weeping.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is performing Send in the Clowns.  I saw it with the understudy who was wonderful.  Why is CZJ jerking her head back and forth?  Is she nervous?

I want to do bad things with Justin Bartha. 

Sean Hayes is hysterical as Annie.  Whoppi Goldberg did the same thing at the Oscars, but that's OK.  It works.

Viola Davis just won her second Tony.  She's Best Actress in a Play for Fences.  She looks spectacular in green. 

Helen Mirren = sexy.

Denzel Washington won Best Actor in a Play for Fences.  Is it catty to say he's looking a little hippy?  If Jon Bon Jovi can do it, so can you Denzel.

It's America's favorite gay couple, the Pinkett-Smiths!  That's totally not true, of course.  Has anybody explained why they're here?

Michael Douglas looks the best he's looked in a long time.

I guess Paula Abdul was available.

Legendary Bill T. Jones wins for choreography.

Stanley Tucci loves me.  He just doesn't know it yet.  Probably because we haven't met. 

Cate Blanchett's suit is extraordinary.  She wins best dressed. 

Best Play is Red.  Next Fall was robbed. 

Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison!  Is this Lea Michelle's audition for the Funny Girl revival?  If it is, she just nailed it.  She's a show-stopper.

Raquel Welch!  She looks fantastic.  She has the world's most brilliant plastic surgeon. 

La Cage wins Best Revival of a Musical!  Champagne all around!

Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.  What a couple of pros.  I think Bob Hope told that Passover joke 75 years ago, but Nathan made it work. 

Best Actress in a Musical is Catherine Zeta-Jones. 

Best Actor in a Musical is Douglas Hodge! 

Bernadette Peters will take over for CZJ in Night Music?  Apparently that's true.  Elaine Stritch will replace Angela Lansbury. 

Best Musical is Memphis.  Snooze.

Monday's Man: Justin Bartha

Tonght was Tony night and adorable Justin Bartha from Lend Me a Tenor was not nominated, but he was in a nominated show and he was a presentor. 

Do they come any cuter?

Yuma Mayor Tries to Prove His Manhood, Fails.

Watch the mayor of Yuma, AZ, Al Krieger, say "limp wristed" "lacy pants" homos shouldn't serve in the military.

 

I served in the United States Army for 12 years, little boy.  You think I'm not a real man?  You say it to my face.  You don't have the guts.

UPDATE:  The mayor issued a non-apology apology.  Read about it here if you have a high tolerance for bullshit. 

I Couldn't Care Less

Via Andrew Sullivan comes Brit David Mitchell addressing Americans about the Queen's English.  Ordinarily, I would find someone like this insufferable, but he hit on one of my pet peeves so I think he's pretty terrific. 


Seriously people, "I could care less" makes no sense.  Stop saying it.  Now.

Note to David:  You seem like a good guy, but if you're going to make fun of silly American stereotypes (they talk funny!) you might want to get the stereotypical teeth fixed.

Also, I have never heard of "titbit" but will start saying it regularly. 

Ike Skelton Wants the Gay to Go Away

Frightened little man Democratic Congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Ike Skelton is opposed to DA/DT repeal because he doesn't want mommies and daddies to have to discuss the gay with their kids. 

Mississippi Gov.: Our Beaches are Beautiful! Come On Down!

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour went on Fox New Sunday to blame the media for ruining Gulf Coast tourism.  Seriously. 

"The biggest negative impact for us has been the news coverage. There has been no distinction between Grand Isle and Venice and the places in Louisiana that we feel so terrible for that have had oil washing up on them," the governor complained.


"The average viewer to this show thinks that the whole coast from Florida to Texas is ankle-deep in oil," he said.

"Our tourist season has been hurt by the misperception of what is going on down here. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is beautiful. As I tell people, the coast is clear. Come on down!

This is Waveland, Mississippi.  Those are dead fish. 

CBS News Poll: Vast Majority of Americans Know Gays

A new CBS News poll showed that 77% of Americans know someone who is gay or lesbian, up 35 percentage points since 1992.  Not surprisingly, there is also a greater acceptance of gay people.  Some results:

"Eight-four percent of Americans under 30 know someone who is gay or lesbian. Older Americans are less likely to know someone who is gay or lesbian: Just 66 percent of those over 65 say they do.


Fifty-one percent of Americans believe people are born homosexual - an increase of eight points from 1993. Thirty-six percent say homosexuality is something people choose. Those who know someone who is gay or lesbian are more likely to believe sexuality is something people are born with.

More than half (53 percent) believe it is necessary to have laws that protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in hiring and promotion. Forty-three percent do not. Women are more likely than men to support such protections.

The terminology used in polling has a small impact on responses on the issue. Asked if "homosexual" relations are wrong in the poll, 43 percent said yes. But asked if "same-sex" relations are wrong, that percentage dropped to 39 percent.


And while 51 percent see being "homosexual" as something people are born with, a slightly smaller percentage, 47 percent, say being "gay or lesbian" is something people are born with."

The battles continue, but we've won the war.

Election Day Roundup

Yesterday's elections yielded some interesing results in South Carolina, Arkansas, Nevada, California, and Iowa.

In South Carolina, State Rep Nikki Haley won 49% of the vote for the GOP nomination for governor, just short of the 50% she needed to avoid a runoff with Congressman Gresham Barrett.  The winner of the runoff will face State Senator Vincent Sheheen in November.  Keep in mind that Nikki Haley is a teabagger fav, endorsed by Sarah Palin. Don't think for a second that I support her. But this is South Carolina, people.  It's been years since a Democrat had a shot at the governor's race. Unless Haley really did sleep with every closet case in the GOP, she'll win.  Speaking of which, French Lieutenant's Woman Lt. Gov Andre' Bauer came in a distant 4th behind Attorney General Henry McMaster.  Too bad, so sad Andre'.  No word on his former aide Larry Marchant whom I would like to imagine waking up this morning with a thunderous hangover after drowing his sorrows in too many Creme de Menthe Frappes at PT's Cabaret.  I'm sure that's not true. 

On to Nevada where another teabagger fav, Sharron "Two Rs" Angle beat Chicken Lady Sue Lowden for the GOP nomination for Senate.  Two Rs will now face Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the general election.  In fact, Two Rs isn't just a teabagger fav, she's an an actual teabagger herself.  You better believe Harry Reid was popping the champagne corks over her win.  There's all kinds of crazy for him to exploit (she supports "phasing out" social security, she supports storing nuclear waste in Nevada, and on and on).  The teabaggers just handed Reid his only (slim) chance of winning in November.

Crazy Nevada Republican Governor Jim Gibbons became the first sitting governor in state history to loose a primary.  Why?  It could have been the sexual assault allegations (never proven) or the luxury cruise paid for by a defense contractor.  He also pushed through a provision that requires a 2/3 majority of both houses of the legislature for any tax increases.  This is the same sort of provision that has all but wrecked California.  In other words, Nevada was fucked by Jim Gibbons. 

In Arkansas, Blanche Lincoln somehow pulled out 51% of the vote, avoiding a runoff with progressive Lt. Gov.  Bill Halter.  She will have a tough battle against Republican Congressman John Boozman in November.

In California, it was the year of the unqualified women CEOs.  Failed Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina won the GOP nomination for Barbara Boxer's Senate seat.  Former EBay CEO Meg Whitman bought won the GOP nomination for Governor. She'll face former Governor Moonbeam, Jerry Brown, in November.   Meg spent $71 million of her own personal fortune to get this far.  We'll see if she can buy the governor's mansion.

Also in California, birther-in-chief Orly Taitz lost her bid to be California Secretary of State to former NFL player Damon Dunn who never even voted until last year.  There was speculation that she could win which would have been a huge embarassment to the Republican party.

In Iowa, some rabidly anti-gay bigots lost big.  Bob Vander Plaats lost the GOP nomination for governor to former governor Terry Branstad.  Branstad is not exactly a friend of the gays, but Vander Plaats tried to make marriage equality the major issue of the campaign.   In a state house race,  Ako Abdul-Samad won the Democratic primary against minister Clair Rudison who ran with the full force of the anti-gay Iowa Family Policy Council.  Like Vander Plaats, Rudison vowed to make marriage equality the decisive issue.  I guess Iowa voters were more concerned with issues that acutally have an effect on them.   

Marchant Takes a Polygraph!

Just when you thought he couldn't humiliate himself further, former Andre' Bauer for Gov. employee Larry Marchant has taken a polygraph to prove he really, really, really is a heterosexual had man-woman sex with Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley.  The results?  Inconclusive.  The crack journalists at the Columbia Fox News channel (naturally) paid for the whole thing.  Click here to watch the WACH Fox (awkwardly pronounced "Wok Fox") report.  Not embeddable.  My favorite part of this story is WACH Fox reporter Emily Pace who breathlessly reported that the polygraph exam "literally took all day.  It began at 2:30 and ended at 5:00."  Katie Couric has got her eye on you, Emily.

I found an embeddable clip of the studly Mr. Marchant.  Decide for yourself if Nikki could have resisted his savage Hetero lust:



The only thing that makes me think he's straight is the hair. 

But wait, there's more!  Not to be outdone by Marchant's publicity, Andre' Bauer himself submitted for a polygraph!  At least, he released polygraph results that he said prove that he had nothing to do with the "unfortunate revelations" about Haley and the menz.  Andre had previously promised to submit to a polygraph exam about his own sexual rumors regarding the menz, but shockingly, none of those questions were covered.

John Stewart Takes on Horny Carolina Politicians

I can't get Daily Show clips to embed on Blogger (fuck you very much, Blogger!), so you'll have to go here to see John Stewart on all the allegations of Nikki Haley sexcapades.  He begins with a piece on the incredible Helen Thomas statements on Israel, but stick with it, it's well worth it. 

For the record, I don't believe any of the Nikki Haley adultery allegations anymore.  As I said here, I don't believe for a minute that Haley risked everything for that lummox Will Folks.  As for former Andre' Bauer employee Larry Marchant, go to about the 7 minute mark on the Stewart clip to hear him speak.  Just do it.  Notice something a little off?  I described Marchant as "doable in a total douchebag sort of way," but this is my official retraction.  His statement that he got it on with Nikki Haley is about as believable as Lindsey Graham doing the nasty with Lindsay Lohan.  Did I meet this guy at The Capitol Club?

Andre', seriously girl, if you're going to orchestrate a smear campaign, it needs to pass the straight face test.    

Nikki Haley is trying to be the state's first woman governor.  Notice how all the dirt slung against her is sexual?

h/t LC NY Bureau Chief Doug

Equality in Portugal!

Teresa Pires and Helena Paixao became the first legally married gay couple in Portugal today. 

The ceremony came less than a month after Portugal's conservative president ratified a gay marriage law passed by Parliament in January. His approval made Portugal the sixth in Europe to let same-sex couples wed.


The center-left Socialist government said the law is part of its effort to modernize Portugal, where homosexuality was a crime until 1982.

Add Portugal to the growing list of countries that are more progressive than New York, California and, God knows, Texas. 

Study Finds Lesbian Make Better Parents

The results of a 20 year study, to be published in July in the journal Pediatrics, has found that children raised by lesbian parents turn out really well and that lesbians make terrific parents.  This is not news to any of us, but don't expect the Family Research Counsel to acknowledge it.

When compared to teens of the same age, adolescents raised by lesbian parents are doing just fine socially, psychologically and academically, new research finds. Not only that, they have fewer social problems, and less aggressive and rule-breaking behaviors than other teens. The nearly 20-year study has followed 78 teens since their lesbian mothers were planning their pregnancies, and concluded that these children "demonstrate healthy psychological adjustment." These findings stand in contrast to what some vocal opponents of gay or lesbian parents might have expected.


Gay male parents were not a part of this study, but the researchers had this to say:
 
As to why these teens are doing better, Gartrell said, "Moms in the lesbian family are very committed, very involved parents."


Gartrell said she expects that these findings would also translate to the children of gay male parents as well. "Gay male parents are another group of very committed parents, and really, [among gay male couples] only economically privileged gay men have access to the opportunity to become parents right now," she said.

Monday's Man: Ashton Kutcher

Finally, Blogger is back up.  It has not let me post since yesterday.  All I've gotten is a "Blogger unavailable" notice with a link to more information.  Of course, the link provided absolutely no information.  So Fuck You Blogger.  Now, on to a late Monday's man.

No, I did not see the new Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl film Killers over the weekend, and neither did many other people.  Poor Katherine seems to have a case of Kate Hudsonitis - one promising start followed by years of dreck.  The only reason to see the movie is Ashton's killer bod (pun, get it?). 

Say what you will about Demi Moore, but the girl's no dummy.  She's pushing 50 and goes home to this every night.  Not bad at all. 

He looks good dressed, too.  At least one film critic thinks Ashton has the potential to be a Clark Gable for the 21st Century.  I think that's a bit of a stretch, but one quality that he shares with Gable is a sense of humor about himself.  It seems that he doesn't take himself too seriously and is in on the joke that he's the luckiest son of a bitch in the world. 

Straight Men Now Cool With The Gays

One of my favorite New York Times columnists, Charles M. Blow, has written a fascinating column in today's paper.  He points out that, for the first time, Gallup polling has revealed that over 50% of Americans view "homosexual relations" as "morally acceptable."  More interesting is the finding that among men, old and young, acceptance has skyrocketed:

"While women’s views have stayed about the same over the past four years, the percentage of men ages 18 to 49 who perceived these “relations” as morally acceptable rose by 48 percent, and among men over 50, it rose by 26 percent."


Read it all here.  This is further evidence that the war is over and we have won.  There's still money to be squeezed from homophobia, hence the continued employment of pretty boy Tony Perkins, but people like him are increasingly relics of the ugly past. 
 
h/t, LC Reader Ray

SC Republicans are Freaks!

And I mean sexual freaks AND freak show freaks.  First, we had family values Governor Sanford hiking the Appalachian Trail all the way to some Argentinian tail.  Then, Mike Rogers of Blog Active, the guy who outed Larry Craig months before the bathroom incident, outed French Lieutenant Governor Andre' Bauer as a big ol' 'mo.  This was not exactly a shock after his interview with The State in which he brought up the homo rumors so he could deny them.  Not a brilliant move, especially since the interview took place in his beautifully-appointed downtown loft. 

But I digress.  Now comes news that leading GOP candidate for Governor, State Representative Nikki Haley allegedly had an affair.  She's a South Carolina Republican, so it's practically a job requirement.  Conservative SC blogger Will Folks has said that he and Haley did the dirty deed when he was single, but she was not.  He even has phone records showing lengthy, late night phone calls.  Frankly, I'm not sure I believe it.  Haley is pictured up top.  She's got kind of an Angie Harmon thing going, right?  Here's Folks:

Ugh!  How hard up do you have to be to touch that?  Would you risk your career for 30 seconds over Tokyo with that lummox? 

But wait, there's more!  The other day, Andre Bauer fired his "political consultant" Larry Marchant who, 2 hours later, alleged he also had an affair with Haley!  Here's Larry:

OK, this one looks doable in a total douchebag sort of way. 

Just to make sure the camera stays on him, media hag Andre challenged Nikki to take a lie detector test about her sex life and said he would take one himself.  Wow, Andre.  You really are totally lacking in self-awareness.  Here's the utterly brilliant Lt. Gov. explaining it all to Live Five:

There's still more!  State GOP Senator Jake Knotts called both President Obama and Nikki Haley "ragheads" in an internet radio interview.  Keeping it classy, Jake.  Haley's parents are Sikh immigrants from India.  Here's what Jake had to say:

"We've already got a raghead in the White House, we don't need another raghead in the governor's mansion."

I guess this is what passes for wit in SC GOP circles.  Here's Jake:

No, that's not Boss Hogg.  That would be an insult to the sophisticated nuance of The Dukes of Hazzard.   

Folks, when I was growing in The Palmetto State, I had no idea the conservative Republicans were getting all the action!  No wonder there are so many Republicans there!

h/t to LC NY Bureau Chief Doug.