Whatever Jerk, Granite Countertops Are Like So 2003 Anyway

A Baton Rouge, LA granite company called Southern Style Granite has refused to do business with a gay couple.  On August 8, two men entered the establishment, shopping for countertops.  They were asked by one of the owners if they were in a relationship, as if it was any of that nosey bitch's business.  They said yes and were told SSG doesn't work with "your kind" and were told to leave.  A representative of Capitol City Alliance tried to work with them and obtain an apology, but got nowhere. 

I'm sure they're not bigots, but were just expressing their deeply held religious beliefs which we must respect.  My goodness, they're already victims since they've had to deal with those radical homosexual activists from Capitol City Alliance.  You can go here and find their contact information and express your love and admiration for these fine Americans.   

It's the Emmys!

Wes and I were glued to the set, champagne glasses in hand, for another big awards show night.  Here are my random thoughts.  I'll begin with just a few comments on the Red Carpet pre-show:

I think Jimmy Fallon's wife is gorgeous.   I love her coral gown and sunny hair.  I love, love that she's not Hollywood skinny.  She looks like a real woman.  Cut to Guiliana Whats-her-name with her boney arms.  She's a pretty girl with a nice personality, but she looks like one of those med school skeletons with an elegant gown. 

Kelly Osborne is incredibly thin.  She said she got that way by working out every day for 30 minutes.  30 minutes on the treadmill does not create that.  She's following the Guiliana Whats-her-name diet of Tic Tacs and lettuce. 

Who's the cute Greek named guy on E!?  Why am I not one of these Hollywood homos on TV? Maybe because I'm not 27 and adorable?  But I'm 50 and fabulous!

My response to Zoe's Calvin Klein underwear ad - WOW.  Tres sexy.  I can see why Junior could be bi for her. 

On to the big show!

The Glee/Springsteen opening is fantastic!  High energy and fun.  New fun couple:  Jon Hamm and Betty White. 

That was the fastest costume change in history.  Jimmy Fallon's tux must have velcro in the back.  BTW, love the shawl collar.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy. 

3 nominees are gay in real life.  The winner?  The straight guy who plays gay!  Eric Stonestreet for Modern Family.  I like him and believe he deserved it even if I didn't get to see NPH or JTF or Chris Colfer kiss a cute guy when his name was announced.  NPH already has two Emmys this year, so I guess he's in good shape.  Stonestreet really should have worn a tie. 

Sophia Vergara is spectacular in Carolina Herrera.  Best Dressed on what I think is a generally blah, forgettable night for clothes.  What are your thoughts on the fashions?

Supporting Actress Comedy.

Jane Lynch!!!  Love, love, love her.  She kissed her wife and called her "my wife" from the stage.  What a gal.  She's having an amazing career and getting the recognition she deserves.  She's a Stah!

Lauren Graham just came out to present.  I like her, but her dress doesn't fit, her hair's a mess and her makeup is shiny. 

Ryan Murphy of Glee just won for directing.  He's adorable in his Tom Ford suit.  He kissed his BF/partner/date on the cheek, what's up with that?  Go back and give that guy a real smack on the lips!

LL Cool J is presenting.  Loose the hat.  And the shirt.

Best Actor Comedy.

Jim Parsons for a show I've never seen.  He seems really, really gay to me.  Is he out or just artsy?  He had all the buzz this year.

NPH is presenting.  He thanks the academy for allowing "a gay man to host 2 years in a row." Funny. 

Best Actress Comedy.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus has green chicklets hanging from her ears.  Winner is Edie Falco for a show I've never seen.  This is Emmy number 4 for her.  Moving on...

Kerri Russell's dress doesn't fit her bosom.  At least her hair's not a mess.

Best Reality Show

Not Project Runway.  Again.  Who does Heidi have to fuck to get a break around here?  Top Chef won.  At least it wasn't Amazing Race for the umteenth time.  There are like 75 Top Chef people on stage.  Who are these people and who cares?

I want to gay marry Christopher Meloni.

Supporting Actor Drama.

Aaron Paul for a show I haven't seen.  He's cute.  Why does he have to bend in half to speak into the mike?  Can't that thing be adjusted?

I want to gay marry Nathan Fillion.

Supporting Actress Drama.

Archie Panjabi for something I've never seen.  Maybe I need to watch more TV?  I don't think that's possible. 

Lead Actor Drama.

I want to gay marry all of but one of them. 

It's Brian Cranston, the one I don't to gay marry, again.  3rd time.  Snooze.

It's Emmy Winner Ann-Margret!  In pants!  She looks and sounds hot.  Love the husky voice.  Why isn't she working all the time?

Lead Actress Drama.

Kyra Sedgewick.  Her 1st Emmy?  Really?  She's nominated every year.  She's not very tall, but even she has to bend over to speak into the mike. 

Tony Awards win...something, I zoned out for a bit. It's getting late.  This is becoming an endurance test.

Ricky Gervais, just in time  to energize things.  "Mel Gibson's been through a lot.  Not as much as the Jews."  Nervous laughter.  People are thinking "is it OK to make fun of Mel now?"  YES!

Bucky Guntz wins!  Whoever he is.  He's actually pretty doable. 

Best Variety Show.  They still have those? 

Jon Stewart.  Well deserved, but he could have shown up.

George Clooney wins a humanitarian award for organizing phone banks or something.  How do you get a movie star to the Emmys?  Give him a humanitarian award!

January Jones is reportedly wearing $100,000.00 earrings, but we can't see them for her messy hair.  Is messy hair a trend? That gigantic dress is totally wearing her, not the other way around.

Supporting Actress Miniseries.

Julia Armond for the excellent Temple Grandin.  Again with the messy hair.  I'm getting annoyed by all the bad hair.

Supporting Actor Miniseries.

David Straithairn for Temple Grandin.  I think it's going to be a Temple Grandin sweep.  He's saying something incomprehensible about teachers being great and he had the opportuntity to play one.  Or something.  No matter, the real Temple Grandin just stood up and stole his thunder.

Death reel.  Jewell is warbling something that makes me want to cut a wrist.  Who knew she was still around? 

Caroline McWilliams died?

Dixie Carter!

Lynn Redgrave!

Lena Horne!

I want to gay marry Blair Underwood.  Maura Tierney looks adorable with short hair.

Best Actress miniseries.

Clair Danes for Temple Grandin.  She looks amazing.

It's the True Blood cast.  Alexander Skarsgard.  I may faint.  Overall, the men look better than the women this year.  Especially him.

Lead Actor Miniseries.

Al Pacino.  Is that a wig or plugs?  Is his face a little tight and over-cooked? 

Best Miniseries.

The Pacific.  Didn't see it.

Best TV Movie.

Temple Grandin.  The real TG comes on stage and steals the spotlight again.  Fascinating person. 

Tom Sellick just looks strange.  Can't he get a decent colorist for his stash?

Best Drama.

Mad Men.  Again.  Love the show, but can't Emmy spread the love a bit?  Will 30 Rock win Best Comedy again? 

Best Comedy.

No!  It's Modern Family, capping a huge night for them. 

It was a disappointing night for Glee, but a big night for Modern Family, Temple Grandin, and Mad Men.  Good night everybody!

Monday's Man: Jimmy Fallon

Cute Jimmy Fallon hosted the Emmys last night and I think he did a perfectly good job.  Plus, I think he looked adorable. 

The guitar bit got a little old, but I've seen worse on awards shows. 

Funniest line of the night went to Neil Patrick Harris who congratulated the Emmys for allowing a gay man to host the show.  Jimmy is not really gay, get it?  I guess you had to be there. 

I Want to Work Where This Guy Works

From Joe.My.God comes this clip of a guy from yesterday's Beck/Palin White-a-Palooza claiming that homosexuals are holding him back:



Granted, a few homosexuals have held me back in my day, but that's another post. 

My question is, where does he work?  If there's an employer who gives preference to gays, I need to send in my resume!

Keith Olbermann, Dan Savage, Mike Rogers, and Stephanie Miller on Mehlman

Watch Keith Olbermann explain newly-out Ken Mehlman's complicity in all those damnable constitutional amendments in 2004.  He's joined by Dan Savage who takes apart Mehlman's claim that gays ought to be Republicans:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Then watch Mike Rogers and newly-out and proud Stephanie Miller discuss Mehlman's non-apology for all the damage he has caused:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Ken Mehlman Comes Out, Wants Us to Love Him

Ken Mehlman, the mealy-mouth architect of George W. Bush's toxic 2004 re-election campaign has come out of the closet.  You remember 2004 as the low point of gay hate as an official Republican campaign strategy.  He played a large role in all those damnable state constitutional amendments that taught so many people that our relationships have no value.  Fuck Ken Mehlman.  Here's his statement: 

 "It's taken me 43 years to get comfortable with this part of my life. Everybody has their own path to travel, their own journey, and for me, over the past few months, I've told my family, friends, former colleagues, and current colleagues, and they've been wonderful and supportive. The process has been something that's made me a happier and better person. It's something I wish I had done years ago. I wish I was where I am today 20 years ago. The process of not being able to say who I am in public life was very difficult. No one else knew this except me. My family didn't know. My friends didn't know. Anyone who watched me knew I was a guy who was clearly uncomfortable with the topic."

This is, of course, utter horse shit.  He took his boyfriend to Bush inaugural events and Mike Rogers called him on it.  He's been out among his Republican friends for years.  It just sounds more palatable to talk about his tortured "journey."  Gay hate is passe in right-wing circles now, and he's joining Beck, Coulter and O'Reilly as rats abandoning a sinking ship. 

I'm all for everyone having their own journey, God knows I had mine, but I have no sympathy for fags who screwed us for profit by day and screwed their boyfriends by night.        

"A Whirlpool of Lies"

Today's New York Times has a fascinating article on the underground gay community at West Point, recently brought to light by the resignation of Cadet Katherine Miller, a lesbian who could no longer justify the personal integrity sacrifices. 

"The hiding begins on Day 1: new cadets must sign a document acknowledging that revealing one’s homosexuality can lead to discharge, as can demonstrating 'a propensity to engage in homosexual acts.'”

Read it all here. 

Quote of the Day

"George Will, Laura Schlessinger, Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck, Kathleen Parker, Mike Gallagher, Michael Barone (talk about poll-driven morality!), Bill O’Reilly, Elisabeth Hasselbeck – each of these conservatives has made some homosexuality-related cave-in, some more serious than others. And, of course, every defection has earned the plaudits of media liberals and LGBT activists alike."

--Peter LaBarbera, grand poobah of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (a SPLC designated hate group), in an article  whining about Elizabeth Hasselbeck's recent statements in support of marriage equality.  He bitches at length about the sudden rush of right-wing pundits abandoning gay hate like rats on a sinking ship.  Too bad, so sad, Miss Thing. 

LaBarbera is also known as "Porno Pete" for his allegedly epic collection of gay fetish porn and his habit of donning full leather and visiting gay bathhouses in Chicago for "research."

It seems to me that the anti-gay industry has been in free-fall lately.  The Prop 8 decision came out and there was hardly a ripple.  Other than gays, hardly anyone noticed or cared.  In fact, Maggie Gallagher's Hate-a-Palloza was on tour when the decision came out and she still couldn't scare up a decent crowd.  Beck and Hasselbeck have spoken out in favor of marriage equality and O'Reilly supports DA/DT repeal.  "Ex-gay" flim-flam operation Exodus International is laying people off as is hate group Focus on the Family.  Maggie, Pete, and all the rest of that motley crew must be shitting bricks because they have no other skills.  The day is quickly coming when professional gay hate will cease to be profitable and then what will they do?  Run a cash register at Target? 

This doesn't mean the right-wing has stopped using fear and hate as tools to gain power, it's just that hating us isn't as effective as it used to be.  They're going all-in for Muslim hate.  That's where the money is.  Islam is the new gay.  Gay hate is sooo 2004.

UPDATE:  I guess I'm not the only one who's noticed. 

Pageant Queens of the World Unite!

Check out these guys watching their girl Miss Philippines make the top 15 at Miss Universe: 



That could have been me circa 1970 watching Miss South Carolina, Claudia Turner, at Miss America.  Damn you Phyllis George!  

Unfortunately for the guys, Miss Philippines gave probably the worst answer to the final question.  Otherwise, she was a strong contender for the crown.

Blatantly stolen from Joe.My.God.

Now it's "Anchor Embryos"

You've heard all the breathless blather about "anchor babies," which are children of undocumented immigrants born in the US.  Republican after Republican has endorsed shredding the Constitution and ending birthright citizenship in order to get a few anti-immigrant votes.  Now, two Rhode Island state lawmakers, one a Republican and the other a Democrat, have begun scaring people about "anchor embryos."  It seems that RI is one of a handful of states that provides pre-natal care based on the status of the foetus instead of the status of the mother.  Sounds "pro-life," right?  Not to Reps Palumbo and Trillo.  They want to end this so the mothers will "self-deport."  Watch these two talk about "enkah embrioos" with hard-hitting Greta Van Susterin:


  

Equality in California

The California Senate has passed a bill repealing a 60 year old law that required the state to try to "cure" gays.   "The law passed in 1950 classifies gays as sexual deviants. It requires the Department of Mental Health to research the causes and potential cures for homosexuality."  The repeal previously passed the state Assembly.  It now goes back to the Assembly for final action.  The bill passed 36-0 and was sponsored by Republican Senator Roy Ashburn.  You may remember him as the anti-gay senator who was outed earlier this year when he was caught driving drunk after leaving a gay bar.  Ashburn has apologized for his anti-gay actions and has embraced the causes of his people.

The California Senate also passed a resolution calling on the President to repeal DOMA.  The Assembly had previously approved that bill, also.

 

Miss Mexico is Miss Universe

You know this pageant queen was glued to the Tee Vee for tonight's Miss Universe Pageant, all Vegasy and sexed up by The Donald.  I was shocked that Miss USA didn't make the top 15.  That's extremely rare and I thought Rima Fakih was beautiful.  Even more rare, Miss Venezuela didn't place.  Miss Venezuela is the Miss Mississippi of the Miss Universe Pageant!  It was a year for cutting against the grain. 

Once the top 15 were announced, I thought it was Ireland's to loose.  She was one-in-a-million.  I believed Jamaica and Australia were her only real competition.  So much for my pageant skills.  Ireland didn't make the top 5, although Australia ended up as 3rd runner up and Jamaica as 1st runner up.  Lovely Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete, took the crown in a stunning red gown. 

At the Ground Zero Mosque Protest

I guess they're grouding down the opposition. 

Via Wonkette

Emmy Winners!

Neil Patrick Harris now has twin Emmys to match his up-coming twin children.  The Creative Arts Emmys were held last night and Neil won both for his guest appearance on Glee and for hosting the Tonys. 

Ann-Margret also received some overdue recognition with an Emmy for her guest turn on Law and Order SVU. 

As expected, Betty White picked up her umteenth statuette for hosting Saturday Night Live.

Anne Hathaway can also call herself an Emmy winner for her voice-over work on The Simpsons.  

Unfortunately, Kathy Griffin will have to satisfy herself with her two previous Emmys.  Her show, My Life on the D-List, lost to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. 

Monday's Man: Javier Bardem

I saw Eat Pray Love over the weekend and it was a bit tedious and at least 30 minutes too long, but when Javier Bardem arrived in the 3rd act, it was like a big dose of lusty testosterone.  Just what the film needed. 

He plays a Brazilian who has had his heart broken and isn't afraid to cry.  He's like a sexy Alan Alda with balls. 

In one scene he asks Julia Roberts to go off to a deserted island with him and she turns him down.  It would disturb her balance.  He certainly would knock me off balance, and he's welcome to any time.  Go see the movie, if only for him.      

A Death in Newark

Today's New York Times has a lengthy story on the death of Defarra Gaymon, the Atlanta credit union executive who was fatally shot by a sheriff's deputy while apparently cruising for sex in a Newark park. Gaymon, who was married and had four children, was in Newark for his high school reunion.  On the day of his death, he told a former pastor that he was going to a church event and he told others that he was going to an Irish pub for a reunion event.  Instead, he went to Branch Brook Park, which was well known for cruising.  The local sheriff's had office singled the park out for undercover operations.  According to Officer Edward Esposito, Gaymon approached him and was told he was under arrest.  Gaymon allegedly resisted and charged Esposito, trying to take his gun.  Esposito fatally shot Gaymon. 

Shot and killed over cruising. 

This story is a tragedy on many levels, but I see it primarily as a tragedy of the closet.  Commenting on his reputation as a sharp dresser, the article has this to say:  

"In hindsight, and held up against stereotypes, recollections of Mr. Gaymon’s appearance have invariably led to speculation about whether he had a double life, or a hidden one. But friends and relatives who spoke about him were quick to reel off facts that they believed suggested otherwise: His marriage. His four children. At bars, he would comment on attractive women."

Of course he would.

Gaymon was the son of a Baptist preacher and Air Force veteran who prayed that his first born would be a son. In other words, there were massive expectations heaped on him from birth. I wonder if there was any room in those expectations for a gay son?

"George Gaymon brought the congregation to its feet during a fiery eulogy that lasted but 30 seconds. 'We will bring the circumstance to light!' he shouted from the pulpit of Antisdel Chapel at Benedict College, his son’s alma mater. “We shall never rest until justice is done!'”

Let's hope so.

NY Times: "Gay Marriage Groundswell"

The New York Times has noticed the recent dramatic rise in support for marriage equality.  Today's article suggests that the American public is at a tipping point and notes that marriage enjoys over 50% support in 17 states, up from just 3 in 2008:

"This trend will continue. Nationally, a majority of people under age 30 support same-sex marriage. And this is not because of overwhelming majorities found in more liberal states that skew the national picture: our research shows that a majority of young people in almost every state support it. As new voters come of age, and as their older counterparts exit the voting pool, it’s likely that support will increase, pushing more states over the halfway mark."

Read the rest here.

Outrage: Plans to Build Library Next to Sarah Palin!

The Daily Mash has the story:

"PLANS to build a state-of-the-art library next to Republican catastrophe Sarah Palin are causing outrage across mainstream America.


Campaigners have described the project as insensitive and a deliberate act of provocation by people with brains."

Read the entire shocking story here.

Orchestral Maneouvres in the Dark is Back

And you can watch the results here:

To the Asshole Who Left His Sweaty, Stinky, Smelly Socks in Front of My Reserved Locker in the Gym

Fuck you.  Don't look for them because they've been trashed.  I wonder if this is the same guy who I watched as he washed his sweaty face in the drinking fountain during his work-out?  I'm not even making this up.

Alexander Skarsgard Doesn't Wear a Sock on It.

As part of my on-going mission to keep my readers informed of important news, I can report that True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard doesn't wear a sock on it when filming nude scenes.  Do you need a moment? 

According to US Weekly, the actor who plays Eric Northman says "If we’re naked in the scene, then I’m naked. I’ve always been that way." 

NOW do you need a moment? 

Stephen Moyer does wear a sock and Anna Paquin wears a "patch."  Good for them, now back to Skarsgard: 

Jake Has a Beard

On his face.  Just in case you're interested in that sort of thing. 

Monday's Man: Trevor Donovan

Trevor Donovan is an Abercrombie model turned actor who is one of the resident hunks on the new Beverly Hills 90210 rehash, which has joined the Melrose Place rehash on the CW.  I haven't seen it, have you?  Did they bring back Donna Martin?  If so, Trevor would be the perfect model for the next Donna Martin Man fashion show.  But I digress.

 The big news is, Trevor's character is coming out as gay.  Now I have a reason to watch.  Will he be like Matt on Melrose Place in the 90s?  No storyline, camera cuts away when he finally gets to kiss a guy, then he's killed off in a car crash?  Or will he be a modern guy living in LA?  Will he have a boyfriend and will they get married when marriage equality returns to California?  Tune in and see.

Marriage Support Tipping Point?

Nate Silver has analyzed the latest polling on support for same sex marriage and finds it 50.5% opposed and 48.5% favor, i.e., too close to call.  He also notes an acceleration in support for marriage equality with a 4 point gain over the past 16 months:

Something to bear in mind is that it's only been fairly recently that gay rights groups -- and other liberals and libertarians -- shifted toward a strategy of explicitly calling for full equity in marriage rights, rather than finding civil unions to be an acceptable compromise. While there is not necessarily zero risk of backlash resulting from things like court decisions -- support for gay marriage slid backward by a couple of points, albeit temporarily, after a Massachusetts' court's ruling in 2003 that same-sex marriage was required by that state's constitution -- it seems that, in general, "having the debate" is helpful to the gay marriage cause, probably because the secular justifications against it are generally quite weak.

There's a New Quayle in Town

Dan Quayle has a son!  He's all grown up!  His name is...who cares?  He loooves Arizona!  He's inherited his father's douchey-cute, grudge-fuck looks and the towering intellect.  Plus, he's running for Congress!  Check it out:



Now check out Rob Tisinai's slight clarification:



I wonder if he has a Mary Richards knock-off wife?

New Mexico Wishes Me a Happy Birthday

I'm baaack.  Wes and I went to Santa Fe for my birthday...my 50th birthday...JAAAAAA!!!!

OK, I'm better.  We were on our way to Bandolier National Monument when I spotted this rock in the appropriately named town of White Rock, NM.  I had to stop.  I'm not Canadian and I'm not 8, but what the hell, the good people of White Rock knew I was coming.  I just love New Mexico. 

You'll note that I'm wearing hiking boots because I'm about to go hiking in the New Mexico mountains because I'm so totally fucking butch.  I think that makes up for that 50-year-old gut that none of you have noticed because you're too polite. 

You'll also note the expression on my face after Wes has said "just one more" for the umteenth time.

After the hike, we went wine tasting.  There's only so much butchness I can handle in one day. 

We stayed at the fabulous, fun, and gay-historic Inn of the Turquoise Bear.  What, you haven't stayed there before? Really?  OK, you have to promise me that you will stay there on your next trip to Santa Fe.  Robert and Ralph will make sure you have a fabulous time.  Their happy hour is not to be missed. 

We went to the Santa Fe Opera and saw the divine Madame Butterfly and The Magic Flute.  The Santa Fe Opera is one of those things you must do before you die.  Take it from me.

More later.  I'm going to crash now.

Monday's Man: Mark Tewksbury

Today, I chose gorgeous, openly gay Olympian Mark Tewksbury.  He won gold for Canada in 1992.

He's still very involved with sports, and has recently been named Canada's Chef de Mission for the 2012 London games.  That means he is the official representative and spokesperson of the Canadian Olympic Team.

Sounds like cause for celebration. 

Kagan Confirmed

The Senate has just confirmed Elena Kagan to the US Supreme Court.  Republican Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, South Carolina's Lindsey Graham, retiring Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, and Indiana's Richard Lugar broke with the GOP to vote for her. 

Huh? What? Eh?

I'll just put it out there, the doctor says I need hearing aids.  I now feel 100 years old.  My husband's reaction was something like "No shit.  You haven't heard thunder in 10 years."  

I'm still in my mid-to-late 40s, but I'll turn, gulp, 50 in just a few days.  Is that the theme from Jaws I hear?  Anyhoo, I went to the doc for a physical and received a clean bill of health.  He told me I have the heart-rate of a teenager, so I'm feeling pretty good about that.  Then he asked me about anything specific that was bothering me and I mentioned my hearing.  Honestly, I've noticed that it has degraded over the past few years.  I ask people to repeat things constantly.  So, he set me up for an exam with an ENT doctor and a hearing test.  As a result, I was prescribed hearing aids.  The audiologist fitted me with them yesterday and they really do make a dramatic difference.  It's like putting on glasses for the first time, you don't realize what you've been missing.  I don't have them yet as we're still working with the insurance company, but I'll be wearing them soon.

I now have progressive bifocals, hearing aids, a bum knee from years of running and my back is bothering me.  Just call me gramps. 

I will NOT be wearing the hearing aids to job interviews.  I want to appear as young and fresh as possible.  I also told my hairdresser that my impending unemployment will NOT cause me to stop having my hair, ahem, deeply conditioned.  I'm all about young and fresh, people, young and fresh.   

Gives New Meaning to Herringbone

From Jezebel comes this BananaRepublic.com screen shot of a pair of herringbone slacks.  Apparently, the model took his Banana gig quite literally.   Alas, his enthusiasm has since been airbrushed away.  Shame. 

Olson and Boies on Prop. 8 Ruling

Quote of the Day

"In 2008, when you won, many of you stood with your arms raised in defiance of the bitter tears you caused in the lgbt community.
What a difference two years makes indeed.
But let me explain to you why you lost today. It’s not complicated, but rather simple.
Your side lost because you lied.
Oh I know that folks on your side will whine about “activist judges who make laws rather than interpret them,” but let’s be real here.
Your entire narrative has been a lie from the beginning."

--Alvin McEwen in an open letter to Prop. 8 Supporters.  Read the rest from this South Carolinian on his excellent blog Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters.

Victory in Prop. 8 Trial!

Judge Walker has released his decision in the Prop. 8 trial, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, and it's a significant victory for equality.  He ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional under both the equal protection and due-process clauses of the U.S. Constitution.  This ruling is an absolute defeat for Prop. 8.

Quote of the Day

"I can’t remember the last time I saw two people really falling in love in a movie. Now all we get is the meet cute, a montage, a kiss, then acoustic song into fade out. Nothing experiential, only movies manufactured from movies. Apparently, there was once a time when Jill Clayburgh danced around in her underwear. She laughed, she cried, she hurt, but it seems like a legend that never happened. Now we have ‘The Bounty’ and I don’t know what to do on Friday nights."

--Sam Wasson, author of 5th Ave., 5 AM about the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's.  His discussion with Maureen Dowd about the pathetic state of Hollywood romantic comedies is here.

Prop. 8 Decision Due Tomorrow

The Federal Court has announced that the decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger will be released tomorrow.  All indications are that it will go our way, but there are certainly no guarantees.  Any way you look at it, tomorrow will be a significant day for equality in America. 

Monday's Man: Farley Granger

I have a blast from the past for you today, Farley Granger, handsome actor from Hollywood's golden age.

We saw his great Hitchcock film Strangers on a Train over the weekend.  Farley plays a tennis star who inadvertently gets mixed up in murder with deranged Robert Walker.  Here's Farley in his tennis shorts:

For my money, Farley Granger is one of the best looking men ever to come out of Hollywood.  What a dreamboat.  Here he is with Robert Walker:

The gay subtext in this film practically leaps off the screen.  Two handsome, well groomed men meet on a train, one is a tennis star.  They immediately take to each other and their lives will never be the same.  You get the point.  Several times, I thought they were about to kiss.  Farley certainly knows something about a longing glance.  If the film were made today, I believe they would have had a crazy affair, or at least a one night stand. 

Farley was also in the Hitchcock film The Rope, shown here with John Dall.  That was another film with strong gay subtext.  Two handsome, well groomed (notice a trend?) have a sophisticated dinner party in a chic Manhattan apartment.  The only problem is, there's a dead body stashed in a trunk.  I know, I know, the gays always had to kill somebody.  It was the 40s and 50s.  Farley appeared on The Celluloid Closet to discuss Hollywood's treatment of gay characters.

Why was Farley so perfect in these movies?  Talent and looks?  Of course.  Plus - surprise - he's gay.  He wrote an autobiography a few years back, Include Me Out, My Life from Goldwyn to Broadway. He discusses his various love affairs including Leonard Bernstein and Patricia Neal.  Maybe it's more accurate to call him bisexual.  He's still alive and kicking today.  Here he is with his partner of many years, Robert Calhoun:

What a good-looking couple. Reportedly, they're still together today.

Chelsea Evening

Chelsea is radiant in Vera Wang and Hillary looks spectacular in Oscar de la Renta.  The guys look pretty handsome, too.