My First Gay Bar, Cont.

I guess Andrew Sullivan liked my little piece.  How flattering. 

My First Gay Bar

Andrew Sullivan has started a fascinating series on first visits to gay bars.  He was inspired by this Slate article on the decline of the gay bar.  It got me thinking about my first gay bar and what a night that was.  It was, of all places, The Heretic in Atlanta.  I was active duty military, stationed in rural Alabama and incredibly naive and inexperienced. I was also incredibly paranoid of getting caught in a gay bar, especially the Heretic, which had such a reputation that even I had heard of it. I went with my very first boyfriend who I had just met, and a couple of his friends. As we were walking in, I was too preocupied with scanning the parking lot for undercover Military Police (I told you I was paranoid) to notice the guy checking IDs until I was up. I fumbled with my wallet and out flopped my military ID. I scrambled to hide it and find my drivers license and the guy said "Don't worry honey, that's not the first one of those I've seen tonight." His joke eased my paranoia. That night was the first time I ever danced with a man. It was overwhelming to see a room full of men dancing with men. If there's anything more liberating than that, I haven't experienced it yet.

Quote of the Day

"I fear I'll be remembered for the work I did on this campaign."

--Marc Mutty, the Chairman of the Yes on 1 Campaign in Maine that overturned marriage equality in that state in 2009.  Mutty was on leave from his job as public relations director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine while running Yes on 1.  He also bemoaned the "hyperbole" used in the campaign and said,

"You know, we say things like 'Teachers will be forced to (teach same-sex marriage in schools)!' " he continues. "Well, that's not a completely accurate statement and we all know it isn't, you know?"


His statements are part of a documentary on the Yes on 1 campaign that will be released later this summer or in the fall.  
 
In related news, Equality Maine has announced a new campaign to gather signatures to put marriage equality on the ballot again in 2012. 

Equality in Rhode Island....sort of?

The Rhode Island Senate has passed a civil unions bill and Governor Lincoln Chafee is expected to sign it.  However, a group of marriage advocates, including Marriage Equality Rhode Island, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Freedom to Marry and the American Civil Liberties Union, have sent a letter to the governor asking him to veto the bill and demand that the legislature pass full marriage equality.  According to The Providence Journal,

In a two-page letter sent to the governor, the groups said the bill — scheduled for a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Wednesday afternoon — “represents a huge step backward from Rhode Island’s longstanding nondiscrimination commitments” and provides “individuals and institutions a free-floating license to discriminate against a whole class of people, in defiance of general law.”


“This amendment could allow individuals, who are legally required to recognize everyone else’s legal commitments, to opt out of doing so only for gay and lesbian people,” the groups wrote. “In practical terms, this law could allow religiously affiliated hospitals to deny a civil union’s spouse’s right to be by his spouse’s side and make medical decisions for him.”

The National Organization for Marriage, naturally, says the religious protections don't go far enough.  There has been no response from the Governor's office.   

Is It Lunch Time Yet?

via Slog

From LC Special Correspondent Ray

This is Not Eric Stonestreet on Modern Family

It's Marcus Bachmann, husband of Presidential Candidate Michele Bachmann.  He's a self-styled "Christian therapist" who endorses ex-gay therapy.  He got his degree from one of the finest mail order universities in Cincinnati.  You can't make this up.  

You may recall Congresswoman Bachmann hid in the bushes to spy on a gay rights rally at the Minnesota capitol.  She also ran screaming and crying after two lesbian constituents dared to ask her a question in a ladies room. 

I have found that when someone becomes an anti-gay crusader, there's always a deeply personal reason.  Always.

Source. 

Michele Bachmann to Bring the Spirit of Mass Murder to Campaign Trail

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann announced her candidacy for the Presidency today in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa.  With characteristic accuracy and attention to detail, this self-proclaimed "serious" candidate invoked the spirit of a fellow famous person from Waterloo:



John Wayne the actor was not from Waterloo, Iowa.  John Wayne Gacy the child killer was from Waterloo, Iowa. 

Quote of the Day

"I was a strong opponent of same-sex marriage. Fourteen years ago, Andrew Sullivan and I forcefully debated the issue at length online (at a time when online debate was a brand new thing).  Yet I find myself strangely untroubled by New York state's vote to authorize same-sex marriage -- a vote that probably signals that most of "blue" states will follow within the next 10 years.  I don't think I'm alone in my reaction either. Most conservatives have reacted with calm -- if not outright approval -- to New York's dramatic decision.  Why?  The short answer is that the case against same-sex marriage has been tested against reality. The case has not passed its test."

--David Frum, conservative writer and former Special Assistant to President G.W. Bush.  Right-wing opposition to marriage equality is crumbling and I predict that this will only accelerate.  Read it all here.      

Will Nikki Kill the SC Primary?

the highly-anticipated, first in the south South Carolina primary may not happen next year.  Gov. Nikki Haley is expected to veto the portion of the state budget that allocates $680,000 for the state election commission to help pay for it.  At one point, the state was looking at an $800,000 million budget shortfall (pocket change compared to what Austin is dealing with) and Gov. Hailey has said that the state could not afford to help fund the primary.  Current budget projections are not so dire, but Hailey is expected to hold firm on this as well as funding for education and the arts.  The South Carolina Democratic Party (yes, there is one) has no plans for a primary because President Obama is unopposed, so the veto would only effect the Republicans.  The Palmetto State has chosen the GOP nominee every time since Reagan in 1980.  Past state GOP chairman Katon Dawson (Katie for short?) has said that the state party should "man up," raise the money and pay for the primary itself.  Republicans just love to say "man up."      

Monday's Man: The Men of Marriage Equality

Marriage equality would not have come to The Empire State this year without the valiant efforts of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, pictured above.  Standing next to him, third from the left, is openly gay Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, who has been fighting hard for this for years.  He is largely responsible for the bill's passage in the Assembly.  He also happens to be Rosie's brother.

Almost hidden in the picture at top, second from the right, is openly gay and openly HIV positive Senator Thomas Duane, who has been tireless in his efforts to bring marriage to New York.  He has also championed a host of causes including HIV/AIDS funding and employment nondiscrimination:

Then there are the four Republicans who broke ranks with their party, enabling the bill to pass in the GOP-controlled Senate.  They are Sen. Mark Grisanti:

 Sen. Stephen Saland:

Sen. James Alesi:

Sen. Alesi had this to say to The Village Voice:

"I am 63 years old, and I have no children, so I won't have any grandchildren. But I do have family. I have nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. I don't know what they'll think. But I do know that as a result of the collective efforts here, they'll grow up in a world that has a broader vision of human freedom."


And Sen. Roy McDonald:

Sen. McDonald had this to say:

"You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn't black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing," McDonald, 64, told reporters.



"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, fuck it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing.

"I'm tired of Republican-Democrat politics. They can take the job and shove it. I come from a blue-collar background. I'm trying to do the right thing, and that's where I'm going with this."

These four Republicans have broken the ice and made it easier for others in their party to vote for equality and begin the process of putting this sad Rovian, gay bashing chapter behind them.  Look for the haters to get desperate, like cornered animals, now that the realization is sinking in that they can't even rely on the Republicans anymore.  Without the GOP, they have nothing and no one.  This is all certainly far from over, and God knows they can still rely on the Republicans in Texas, but the writing is clearly on the wall.

NOM Plots Revenge/Big GOP Money Backs Equality

The so-called National Organization for Marriage has pledged $2 million to defeat the Republican New York state senators who voted for marriage equality.  Here's a quote:

"Last night we were sold out by the Republican Party in New York. Shortly before 10:30 last night, the New York Senate voted 33 to 29 in favor of same-sex marriage. Four Republicans – Jim Alesi, Roy McDonald, Steve Saland, and Mark Grisanti provided the margin of passage.
But this fight is far from over. In response to last night's vote, I have doubled our pledge to New York, committing at least $2 million dollars to make sure that New York Republicans understand that voting for gay marriage has consequences."

If I were Senators Alesi, McDonald, Saland, or Grisanti, I wouldn't loose much sleep over Mr. Brown's tough guy stance.  NOM wasn't just innefective in the New York marriage battle, it wasn't even a factor.  What do they spend all their money on?  It's certainly not effective advocacy.  Remember when Brian bragged that he would make sure marriage equality was repealed in New Hampshire when the Republicans won super-majorities there?  If they made an effort, it was DOA.  NOM failed to defeat marriage equality in DC.  NOM failed to prevent civil unions in Illinois and Delaware.  NOM failed to repeal the Washington state domestic partnership bill even though it was on the ballot and they fought it as a marriage battle.  Are their self-styled "victories" anything more than claiming credit for the efforts of others?  Brian is begging for money on his NOM site right now.  Who would continue to throw good money after bad?   

The New York marriage victory marked the first time a GOP-controlled legislative body voted for marriage equality, or any other gay rights issue, for that matter.  The Senate leadership didn't have to send it down for a vote, but they did and enough Republicans voted in favor to put the bill over the top.  Further, today's New York Times reported that, major Republican donors bankrolled this effort and vowed to protect the Republicans who voted for equality.  If I were a Republican elected official, I would much rather have deep-pocket Wall Street tycoons on my side than Bryan Brown and Maggie Gallagher.  NOM is toast.     

Witness To History

My dear friend (and LC reader) Ray and his friend Carlos were at The Stonewall Inn last night as the New York Senate passed marriage equality.  Here are his pictures and his beautifully written report.  You might want to grab a tissue before you read it:

"I got a call from my friend Carlos to come down to the village and have dinner with him last evening and as decided last minute to do so. After having a nice dinner and discussion about the impending state senate passage of the marriage equality act, we of course were anxious to know as it was about to happen any moment.



After dinner we walked over to Sheridan Square and Christopher Street and low and behold as we walked over at 10:31 my phone flashed with the NY Times news alert that the state senate had passed the measure and it was now going to be law!! The streets erupted and we made our way to the Stonewall Inn where it all began some 42 years ago, the beginning of the gay rights movement and the struggle for equality, Christopher Street had been cordoned off and the thousands were flocking and cheering and celebrating what it truly an hard fought and historic moment.

As we made our way through the crowd I had such emotions. Seeing all the different types...young, old, black, white, latino, asian, indian, phillipino, tall, thin, heavy....gosh what diversity our community has and there in lies our strength!! I felt such pride in our coming together to celebrate this moment and I too had some emotion (and a few tears) as I remembered all those friends who were NOT here to celebrate in this moment....Willy, Stan, Gray, David, Reid, Lloyd, Thomas, Web, Kevin....too many and yet I said, "you are here, in my heart and in my memory and I share this moment with you! You may be gone but not forgotten!"

A very incredible moment and crowd and energy....I'm so GLAD I got a chance to witness, to be alive and to experience a part of this!! (thank you! Carlos!!)"

Equality in New York!

The New York Senate just approved marriage equality!  The number of Americans living in equality has more than doubled!  This is the first time that a Republican controlled legislative body has voted in favor of equality.  This a a huge game changer in many ways.  What a great day for America!  Wes and I were married in Canada, but next time we go visit LC NY Bureau Chief Doug, we're getting married in the New York City!

I LOVE NEW YORK!

Rehoboth Idol 2011!

I'm so excited to announce that Lazy Circles reader and fellow blogger Mark in Delaware has WON Rehoboth Idol 2011!  For some reason (Blogger sucks) I can't post the videos of his performances, but you can see him transform himself into The Bee Gees and Carole King here.

Quote of the Day II

"I won't believe in marriage equality in New York until I am being fitted at Vera Wang!"

--LC NY Bureau Chief Doug, taking a sensible approach to the impending vote in the NY state senate.  Let's hope Doug is on the phone to Vera tomorrow!

Quote of the Day

“David [Hyde Pierce] brought two young friends and he told me afterward that the two knew nothing of the history, the legacy of AIDS, the struggles that people had just 30 years ago."

--Daryl Roth, the lead producer of The Normal Heart on Broadway explaining why the production is offering steeply discounted tickets to people under 30.  You can read some young peoples' reactions to the play here.     

Once a Quitter (cont.)

Sarah Palin wants America to know that her bus tour to restore America's Greatness or whatever is NOT CANCELLED!  Sure, she's sitting in Wasilla and not visiting the Inspiring Great Historical Sights of America's Greatness and Liberty, but the tour's totally not cancelled.  Don't even think this pronouncement has anything to do with bad publicity.  She's totally going to get back on the bus.  Soon.  Really.  She's not a quitter, got it?    

In other news, her upcoming trip to Sudan has been cancelled due to "scheduling conflicts."  By "scheduling conflicts," I mean somebody showed her Sudan on a map.  She was supposed to travel there with Franklin Graham and Greta van Susteren because if there's anything that war-torn country needs it's Sarah Palin, Franklin Graham and Greta van Susteren.           

The Other Royal Wedding

Did you know that there will be another royal wedding on July 2?  Prince Albert of Monaco will marry South African swimming champion Charlene Wittstock in a three-day celebration culminating in an outdoor ceremony in the Palace courtyard.  I'm sure my invitation will arrive any day now.  The stunning future Princess Charlene will wear Armani.  "Princess Charlene" may sound more like the Princess of Arkansas than Her Serene Highness of Monaco, but you work with what you've got.  Will their marriage be loveless and tragique, like some other royals I could name, or will they be a Mediterranean Kate and William?  One good sign is her age. She is 33 and was an accomplished woman (she competed at the 2000 Olympics) before meeting Prince Albert four years ago.    

Miss USA Contestants on Evolution

Watch and weep for the educational system in this country
: 


Thank God for Vermont at 13.01. 

Get Your Gay Card Right Here

LC reader Will has tipped me off to this site where you can finally get your gay card.  I've been waiting years for mine to be issued.  Now, where's my copy of the gay agenda?  I'm still waiting on that one.

To get your gay card, you must first take a quiz.  I scored 66 which is "acceptably gay."  Seriously?  Only acceptably gay?  I protest some of the questions.  I may not have Britney on my iPod, but I do have Judy, Barbra, Donna McKechnie, Vanessa Williams, Barbara Cook, Lulu, Abba, and the entire 1957 and 2009 original cast recordings of West Side Story.  So there!   

Once a Quitter....

Sarah Palin has abruptly quit her One Nation Bus Tour/Family Vacation half-way through.  A month ago, the press followed her like she was Britney as she dashed from place to place without warning, never issuing a schedule and never staying long.  She insisted that the tour was just a family vacation, not "about me" and not political.  Pay no attention to the giant bus plastered with her pictures and name paid for by her political action committee, and read nothing into the fact that she emerged at every stop in heels, power suit, and TV make-up.  It was just a simple family vacation to reconnect with America's proud history.  She had indicated that the non-political tour would wind its way through Iowa and South Carolina, not because they're politically important because this tour was not about politics.  Iowa and South Carolina are just so gosh darn historical.  Anyway, she never made it to either place.  The Palin clan is back in Alaska.     

Cuomo "Cautiously Optimistic" on Marriage Equality

Despite NY Gov. Cuomo's push to get a marriage equality bill through the GOP-controlled state Senate, passage seems tenuous at best.  The House has already passed the bill and it is within one vote of passage in the Senate, that is if the Senate leadership advances the bill that far.  That's a big if.  Cuomo and the Senate leadership reached a deal on all remaining issues for this legislative session, including bills regarding rent reform and property taxes, except for marriage.  Cuomo told reporters late yesterday that he still believes marriage will come up for a vote.  According to Politicker NY:

"We early on said we’re not going to advance a bill unless we’re confident that it has a good chance of success,” Cuomo said. “Not that you know it’s going to succeed, because you never know until the vote is actually cast. But we’ve reached the point, the threshold where we believe there was a high likelihood of success, we felt good about the chances of success, so then we moved the bill.”

Sen. Tom Duane, the marriage bill's sponsor, was asked if he thought there were enough votes for the bill and he said “I’m not going to predict that.”

Miss USA!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know I have a mild obsession with the great American art form of the beauty pageant.  Miss USA was last night, live from Vegas and Miss California, Alyssa Campanella, was triumphant!  (I find that exclamation points are always appropriate when talking about Miss USA!  The Smiles!  The boobs!  The Gowns!  The swimwear!  The production numbers!  Did I mention the boobs!).  So, here are my random notes, jotted down as Wes and I took in the spectacle:

Here are your hosts for the evening, Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic!  I love Andy and Giuliana!  I kind of want to eat him with a spoon.  She looks spectacular.  But wait, there's more!  There's color commentary from Kelly Osborne and a random former Miss USA!  Was she the Miss USA who fell at Miss Universe and got booed in Mexico?  Whatever, I love Kelly Osborn!  This evening is going to be a mash-up of Pageant cheese and Fashion Police!   What could be better!?

And the Parade of States is on.  I really wish they'd bring back the costumes.  I remember one year when Miss South Carolina dressed as a Palmetto tree with lots of green sequins and gigantic green feathers around her head.  It doesn't get much better than that.  I think she won best costume.

Miss South Carolina is from North Augusta!  This has got to be a first.  I lived in NA until I was about 12.  This reminds me of the time the Miss North Augusta pageant was broadcast on the then-new UHF channel.  It was probably '67 or '68.  One girl's talent was sewing and another's was water ballet.  I would love to find a video of that gem.

Miss Texas is stunning.

There is a contestant named Amber-Joi.  Not kidding.  I know you're going to be walking across stage in bikinis and heels, but stripper names really aren't appropriate.

OMG!  It's the Top 15!

GA!  Kaylin was educated at Georgia Perimiter, whatever the F that is.
AZ!  Brittany Dawn!  She's one of about 5 Brittanys in this year's pageant.
ME!  Emily likes shooting and snowmobiling!
UT!  Jaime Lynn! I didn't catch her interests, but pencil in hiking and shopping.  Safe bets.
TN!  Ashley likes Kickboxing.
IN!  Jillian was educated at Nova Southeast!  This is one brainy group of gals!
TX!  About time people!  Ana like doughnuts!  Whatever, girlfriend.
SC!  Courtney from North Augusta!  She's a Gamecock!  Obviously, she's a lock for the crown. 
AL!  Madeleine!  Roll Tide!  Wes is cheering.
NY!  Amber graduated from NYU with a 4.0.  I'd like to see her in a debate with Miss Nova Southeast and Miss Georgia Perimeter.
HI!  Angela likes spear fishing!
FL!  Lissette likes to play with dogs!  OMG, me too! 
MO! Show me, Hope!
CA!  Alyssa wants to explore space!
MD:  Allyn joins Maine in the random-state-that-won't-win competition.

Wait a minute, what is Giuliana saying?  There's one more space?  OMG!  Unprecedented!  Stop the Presses!  Who is it?

NM!  Another Brittany!  She loves shuffleboard!

Now, the introduction of the judges.  There's Mariel Hemingway looking good.  Rocco DiSpirito looking great.  Tyson Chandler who plays on some sort of basketball team (kidding.  I'm actually aware of the NBA Champion Mavs).  Marcus Allen still looks great.  Some real housewife from NJ.  A former Miss Universe.  Some other people. 

Here's your reigning Miss USA, Rima Fakih with a giant tumor on her head and the new, incredibly ornate drag queen crown.  What it lacks in taste, it makes up in bling. 

Did Donald Trump himself design it?  BTW, where is The Donald?  He owns Miss Universe, Inc.  He's usually sitting front row center at these things, but tonight he's conspicuously absent.  Has he made himself too toxic for his own beauty pageant?

Rima is introducing a parade of former titleholders since this is the 60th anniversary of Miss USA!  Wait a minute, there's no parade.  They're just panning the camera across the seats while the former queens sit there and smile.  Would it have been too much to ask to give Miss USA 19frigging54 a moment in the spotlight?  Those gals deserved better.

It's swimsuit!  [insert catty comments about boobs and butts here.  On second thought, don't.  They all have such unbelievable bodies that there's nothing to criticize].

OMG! It's time for the Quarter Finalists!  Who will it be Andy Cohen? 

Miss Texas!

Miss North Augusta South Carolina!

Miss Alabama! 

Other girls! 

Sorry New York.  You're out.  You're very pretty, though.

It's time for the contestant profiles!  Potty break.  Need anything from the kitchen, Wes?

Miss Congeniality is Miss Kentucky and Miss Photogenic is Miss Arizona!  Neither gets to step forward and receive her prize.  Bad.  Give the girls their moment, people.

It's evening gown and Kelly and random former Miss USA are providing color commentary.  We all agree that Miss Texas' dress is unique and beautiful.  Miss South Carolina's gown was from the Simplicity Patterns Dynasty Collection circa 1987.  Kelly just said Miss Maryland's gown is a Golden Girls dress.  I love Kelly.  Miss California, Alyssa Campanella, reveals that she's a natural blonde Norwegian who went red after coloring it for a stage roll and liking it.  She must be from the Oslo Campanellas.   

OMG!  It's time top cull some more!  Somehow they end up with 4 finalists.  Did I miss something?  Shouldn't there be five?  Miss South Carolina was was totally robbed.  The finalists are:

Alabama!
Texas!
Tennessee!  (how did she get this far?  She's totally a by-the-book pageant girl).
California!

Apparently there will be two questions this year, an easy, getting to know you question from Andy and Guiliana followed by grilling from the judges.  Miss AL says something about inspiring people.  Miss TX talks about falling during her first pageant, which she won, thank you very much.  Miss TN talks about her trip to Paris.  She's a real gal of the people.  Miss CA collects history books.  She's such a history buff that she watches Game of Thrones.  That's enough, Alyssa.   

It's now time for the all-important judges question.  Where's Perez?  CA gets the Real Housewife who asks about legalization of Marijuana.  She quibbles and doesn't really answer it, but she's more or less coherent.  TN gets Rocco who asks something about the First Amendment.  TN clearly doesn't know that she's talking about, but by pageant standards, she does well.  TX gets the Weiner question from Mariel.  Her answer is the best yet.  Not great, but it's all relative.  AL gets Tyson and the question is about bullying.  I'm not sure she understood the question.

It's Rima Fakih's final walk.  That dress looks like she's going back to the pole after she gives up the crown.

LC NY Bureau Chief Doug texts me.  We both think it's California's to loose.  TX will certainly be 1st RU.

"Tonight's winner receives a collection of laboratory created jewelry."  Really?  The winner used to get a fur coat and a Camaro.  Now she gets crappy costume jewelry? 
Thanks a lot, Bob Barker. 

The 3rd runner up is Texas!  How did that happen?  Another robbery.
The 2nd runner up is Alabama!  About right.
It's down to California and Backwoods Barbie from Tennessee.
They're "best friends!"  How sweet.

California wins!!!!  We called it!

She had that winner look all night.

Monday's Man: John Benjamin Hickey

Today I present the newly-minted Tony winner and North Texas native John Benjamin Hickey.

 He's currently starring in The Normal Heart on Broadway. 

 You may know him from The Big C with Laura Linney on Showtime.  Just in case you were wondering what he looked like out of all those nice clothes:

I know what you're thinking.  He's a Texan.  Is it really true that everything's bigger in Texas?  I'm not going to say because you have to experience it yourself, but there are some, shall we say, full backall shots of Mr. Hickey floating around.  You might want to harness Google for that one.  This is a family blog.

President Obama on Marriage: Still Evolving

LC NY Bureau Chief Doug alerted me to this New York Times article on President Obama's views on marriage equality.  He reminds of William Hurt's character in The Big Chill who declared "I was evolving.  I'm still evolving."  This week, the President will headline a $1250 a plate dinner called "Gala With the Gay Community" and on June 29, he will host a gay pride celebration at the White House.  This gives him two golden opportunities to announce that he's evolved to what I have always suspected to be his personal position:  full marriage equality.  You can read the article here.       

Why is This Man So Happy?

It's the 50th Anniversary of Pampers!

Quote of the Day

"People get away with worse.  Everybody has hangups."

--Esther, age 92, on Anthony Weiner's resignation.  She was present at the National Council of Jewish Women building in Brooklyn when Weiner made his announcement.  Personally, I think it was a stupid ending to a stupid scandal.     

Americans Still Blame Bush

Interesting results from a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.  6 in 10 American still hold George Bush more accountable for the economic problems than President Obama.  According to conservative columnist Ross Douthat:

"The numbers he’s talking about show that 62 percent of Americans still call the current economic picture 'a situation Obama inherited,' and only 25 percent call it a situation that the president’s policies are “mostly responsible for.”

This should be sobering news for a GOP presidential field that is running on Bushenomics on steriods; doubling down on slashing taxes and social services, refusing to raise revenue, and blaming everything on President Obama.             

Via Andrew Sullivan

Blow, Gabriel Blow

Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster and the cast of Anything Goes were recently on David Letterman's show performing Blow, Gabriel Blow.  Take a look:



That was actually an abbreviated version of the number you can see on stage, eight times a week at the Stephen Sondheim Theater.  What are you waiting for?  Get tickets and go! 

Michele Bachmann: Anti-Gay Extremist

In a disturbing article in The Daily Beast, writer Michelle Goldberg lays out the case for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's ideological extremism.  It's required reading in the wake of Bachmann's widely praised GOP debate performance. 

Bachmann saves her most bizarre beliefs for the gays.  Apparently her husband is one of those crackpot therapists who believes in a gay "cure" and, just last year, compared homosexuals to "barbarians."  At a 2004 speech at which then-state representative Bachmann warned that gay marriage would lead to indoctrination of small children into homosexuality, she reassured her audience that she has nothing against homosexuals, saying:

"Any of you who have members of your family in the lifestyle, we have a member of our family that is," she said. "This is not funny. It's a very sad life. It's part of Satan, I think, to say that this is gay."

The strangest story, however involves Ms. Bachmann running from a ladies room, screaming and tears, after a lesbian constituent (and former nun) approached her with a question.  Being alone with lesbians in a ladies room left her "absolutely terrified."  You can read it all here.   

Pro-Prop 8 Motion to Vacate Ruling Denied

California Prop. 8 proponents filed a motion in Federal District Court to vacate the ruling of Judge Vaughn Walker in Perry v. Schwarzenegger.  They asserted that, because Walker was gay and in a relationship he stood to benefit from his ruling.    Basically, he was biased due to gayness.  The bullshit, desperate motion which was just shy of sanctionable, was denied today by Judge James Ware. 

"Equal protection and due process benefit all society, not just minorities, Ware writes, and "all Californians have an equal interest in the outcome of the case." ... "The single characteristic that Judge Walker shares with the Plaintiffs ... gave him no greater interest in a proper decision on the merits."

Bankruptcy Court Finds DOMA Unconstitutional

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, in Los Angeles has held that section 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.  Section 3 forbids the Federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages legally performed by states.  The opinion came in a bankruptcy filing brought by a gay couple who were legally married in California while it was legal to do so.  An excerpt from the ruling:

"This court cannot conclude from the evidence or the record in this case that any valid governmental interest is advanced by DOMA as applied to the Debtors. Debtors have urged that recent governmental defenses of the statute assert that DOMA also serves such interests as “preserving the status quo,” “eliminating inconsistencies and easing administrative burdens” of the government. None of these post hoc defenses of DOMA withstands heightened scrutiny. In the court’s final analysis, the government’s only basis for supporting DOMA comes down to an apparent belief that the moral views of the majority may properly be enacted as the law of the land in regard to state-sanctioned same-sex marriage in disregard of the personal status and living conditions of a significant segment of our pluralistic society. Such a view is not consistent with the evidence or the law as embodied in the Fifth Amendment with respect to the thoughts expressed in this decision. The court has no doubt about its conclusion: the Debtors have made their case persuasively that DOMA deprives them of the equal protection of the law to which they are entitled."

In a highly unusual move, the opinion was signed by 20 of 25 judges in the district.  Opinions are normally signed only by the issuing judge. 

1965 Chevy's All-Star Debut

Endora and Hoss make a charming couple:



But I would have paired her with Pernell Roberts in the Corvette.

More Quotes of the Day

"I support a constitutional amendment to define marriage between a man and woman. I was the co-author of the state — a law in Minnesota to define it and now we have courts jumping over this."

--Tim Pawlenty, at last night's GOP debate in New Hampshire, when asked about an Amendment to write descrimination against gay people into the United States Constitution.  Such an amendment enjoyed support from all the candidates except Ron Paul who thinks government should get out of marriage.

"John, I do support a constitutional amendment on — on marriage between a man and a woman, but I would not be going into the states to overturn their state law."

--Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, apparently unaware that a federal constitutional amendment would overturn state law. 

"Constitutional."

--Mitt Romney, when asked if he would support Constitutional amendment or state decision to overturn marriage equality.  When Mitt ran for the Senate against Ted Kennedy in the 90s, he told a gay group that he would be a stronger senator for gay rights than Sen. Kennedy. 


Via Towleroad

Quotes of the Day

Well, I think it’s very powerful that both the Army and the Marines overwhelmingly opposed changing it, that their recommendation was against changing it. And if as president — I’ve met with them and they said, you know, it isn’t working, it is dangerous, it’s disrupting unit morale, and we should go back, I would listen to the commanders whose lives are at risk about the young men and women that they are, in fact, trying to protect.

--Newt Gingrich making up "facts" to support his assertion that Don't Ask/Don't Tell should be reinstated.  Most of the candidates at last night's Republican Presidential Debate in New Hampshire supported reinstatement of DA/DT after host John King asked them about it directly.

"Rights don’t come in groups. We shouldn’t have gay rights. Rights come as individuals. If we would (ph) have this major debate going on, it would be behavior that would count, not the person who belongs to which group."

--Congressman Ron Paul stating that he would not work to over throw DA/DT repeal, though he didn't specify what "behavior" he was talking about.

I believe that “don’t ask/don’t tell” should have been kept in place until conflict was over.

--Mitt Romney, avoiding the question. 

Via Towleroad

Relive NPH, Patti LuPone, and Cast of Stars in Company

I have tickets to see this in a movie theater.  I'm so excited!  I'm going with my boyfriend and our hairdresser.  It doesn't get any gayer than that!

Relive NPH's Tonys Rap!

Relive NPH's Open Number at the Tonys!

Tonys Live Blog Part Two!

And I'm back!  The dog has been put out and we're back to my Tony Awards stream of unconsciousness.  Now, where were we?

Samuel L. Jackson is presenting Best Play.  No surprise, it's War Horse.  I wrote the winner down before he opened the envelope.

Joel Grey is introducing a scene from Anything Goes!!!  It's the best thing I've seen on Broadway since West Side Story.  OMG, you have to see it!  Seriously, if you haven't seen it, call the airlines right now, book a flight to NY, and go see this show!

Sutton Foster is an amazing star! 

It's Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones.  Two legends.  Vanessa always looks lit from within.  

Christie Brinkley is shimmying out on stage, channeling Marilyn Monroe.  She looks beautiful for her, or any, age.  As Kathy Griffin would say, I want the name of her dentist.  

It's NPH and his amazing Company co-stars including Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Martha Plimpton, Christina Hendricks, and on and on.  Did I hear him say it was coming to movie theaters?  I have to look that up. (UPDATE:  I did and it will be shown in various theaters around the country on June 16th at 7:30 PM and June 19th at 12:30 PM). 

Kelsey grammar is here to present Best Revival of a Musical.  It's Anything Goes!!!  Did I tell you it's the best thing I've seen on Broadway since West Side Story?  Well, it is!  Go see it!  

Tyne Daily looks lovely.  It's the death reel.

Harry Potter is looking cute.  He's here to present Best Actress in a play and it goes to Frances McDormand.  She's in a jeans jacket, striped gown, no make-up and stringy hair.  Is she in character?  I get that she's an artist and a free spirit and not into glam, but when you're likely to win a Tony Award, couldn't you at least comb your hair?  She seems moved by the award, though.  

Best Actress in a Musical is Sutton Foster!  Tears!  Emotion, Gratitude!  Her dresser is leaving for Cape Cod!      

Love her, love her talent, love her dress, not crazy about the color. 

It's Martha Wash!  The Tonys gay quotient just exploded!  It's Raining Men and the cast of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert!  It's a crazy, rainbow, glitter explosion and if there are any straight men left watching, they've just turned to the game.

Catherine Zeta Jones.  Now that's how a movie star wears red.  Smashing.  She's presenting Best Actor in a Play to...who?  Mark Rylance in Jerusalem, beating out Brian Bedford for The Importance of Being Earnest.  What an upset!  He's accepting his award and talking about walking through walls.  A few people laugh nervously.  Is he tripping?  (UPDATE:  He was quoting from his favorite poet).

Best Actor in a Musical is Norbert Leo Butz, as expected.  Love him.  

Best Musical is being presented by Chris Rock.  He's joking about how we all know who the winner will be.  I don't think that joke is very fair.  All the nominees deserve their moment in the spotlight.  

He was right.  It's Book of Mormon, of course.  

And the show ends with NPH's amazing rap-recap of the show.  He's a huge talent.  

Good night, Broadway fans!  Until next year!

 

Broadway, It's Not Just For Gays Anymore!

It's my Tony Awards live blog!  OK, it's really live note-taking/stream of unconsciousness, but here are my thoughts as the night was happening:

Let's see, champagne?  Check.  Pizza?  Check.  Guests?  Check.  We're ready for the Tonys! 

It's "Teen Heartthrob" Neil Patrick Harris!  His opening number kills!  We're all doing champagne spit takes. 

"Attention every breeder, it's OK to go to the theater." 
"It's not just for gays anymore." 
"No sodomy required!"

Celebrities in the audience are very game with their little bits.  Brooke Shields gets it out, finally.

Alec Baldwin - hot in a beard.  First award, Featured actress in a play and it's Ellen Barkin for The Norman Heart.  She looks beautiful in age-appropriate yet sexy black lace. It's wonderful to see this play recognized.

The How to Succeed in Business guys, Robert Morse and Matthew Broderick, introduce a scene from the nominated musical.

Daniel Radcliffe is totally game.  He's really not much of a singer, God bless him.  You can really see that he works hard.

Why are they giving so much time to John Leguizamo to pitch his show?

Viola Davis is spectacular in Lavender.  She's introducing featured actor in a play and it's North Texas' own John Benjamin Hickey for The Normal Heart!  He looks gorgeous.  I'll just say it.  The man is hot.  He thanks his partner.  Nice.  Gives a shout out to Plano, TX.  He says his family better not be watching the Mavericks game.  A few people in the audience laugh, most have no idea what he's talking about.  

And we're doing a scene from Catch Me If You Can.

Aaron Tveit really should have been nominated.  Norbet Leo Butz is a big star.

Commercial break and Wes wants to change the channel to check the score in the Mavericks game.  There's a Mavericks game on?  Who knew?  OK Wes, but make it snappy.  If I miss Best Featured Actress in a Musical I won't be happy.

Anything Goes wins choreography.  Well deserved, Kathleen Marshall.

 David Hyde Pierce gives Best Director of a Musical to Book of Mormon.  They're on their way to the big prize. 
      
Best Director of a Play is War Horse.  Are they on their way to the big prize?

Don Cheadle introduces The Scottsboro Boys who are amazing.

Angela Lansbury is a vision in black.

Gorgeous Harry Connick, Jr. presents Best Featured Actress in a Musical to Nikki M. James of the Book of Mormon.  She's over the moon!  I love it when they're genuinely excited.  She should be, there was some amazing talent in that field including Miss LuPone herself.

Fellow South Carolinian Steven Colbert introduces a scene from The Book of Mormon.  Cute Andrew Rannells singing I Believe.  I believe too, Andrew!

Hugh Jackman and NPH on stage together.  What a couple of pros.  What a couple of hotties.

Brook Shields in the Addams Family?  I can buy it.

Featured Actor in a Musical goes to John Larroquette.  Adam Godley of Anything Goes was robbed!  Larroquette also beat out cute Rory O'Malley of The Book of Mormon, but Rory's handsome date looks like much more than a consolation prize.  The two talented Scottsboro Boys went home empty handed.  This win leaves me scratching my head.  It seems to be a show business rule that if John Larroquette is nominated for something, he's going to win. 

Bono and The Edge try desperately to promote Spiderman introduce a scene from Spiderman.  Peter Parker and Mary Jane are in the air singing a love song straight out of 1975.  "Don't think about tomorrow, we've only got tonight."  My God, what a cliche.  This really doesn't inspire me to go see the show.

It's Jim Parsons.  Wait a minute, I thought Broadway wasn't just for gays anymore?

Robin Williams is on stage with a truly awesome beard.  "The only beard here is on my face."  Not a bad line.

Book of a musical goes to The Book of Morman.  Trey Parker and Matt Stone are really cute.

WTF is Whoopi wearing?  I suppose it wouldn't be Whoppi if she was glammed up.  She introduces a rousing number from Sister Act.

Best Revival of a Play is being presented by handsome Patrick Wilson, soon to be seen in a new show on CBS.  Sheer coincidence, I'm sure.  The winner is The Normal Heart.  "Freedom to love, freedom to live, freedom to marry."  Very nice.  Then, Larry Kramer puts a tear in every eye with "Our day will come."

Memphis is still running?

Priscilla Queen of the Desert wins Best Costume.  Who else could compete with that?  Lizzy Gardiner doesn't wear an American Express dress.

The Dan Savage/It Gets Better/Google Chrome spot always chokes me up.


That was part one, folks.  More to follow.  I've got to go put the dog out!

   Check out Tonyawards.com for tons more information and more pictures like these.

Monday's Man: Neil Patrick Harris

In honor of last night's smashing Tony Awards telecast (major blog post to follow), I had to feature the sparkling host, Neil Patrick Harris!

 Here he is with his adorable husband, David Burtka and their adorable children.  What's the word for this picture?  Oh yeah, adorable.

 And here he is demonstrating all the hotness he usually keeps hidden.  For my money, his sword is far more interesting than a certain Congressman's I could name.

Tony's Red Carpet!

Just a few notes from the Tony Awards Red Carpet:

Judith Light in Go-To-Hell Red, dripping in gold!  Spectacular!  Too much?  No Way!

Red is obviously the color of the night.

Sutton Foster is getting banged by Bobby Canavale and she's about to win her 2nd Tony.  Some girls have all the luck (line stolen from LC NY Bureau Chief Doug).

Al Pacino has lost his mind.  Is he auditioning for Hair?  His date is 98% collagen.

Beth Leavel in blood red with Tony Sheldon.  Does it get any better?

OK, my guests are here, time to uncork the champagne.  More later. 

Dallas: 10:20 PM

I hear fireworks going off outside.  It must be other people who are as excited as I am that Anything Goes won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical!

Looking Great

Photos of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords have been released and she looks amazing.  She still has a long way to go in her recovery, but it's great to see her progressing so well.

Weiner Video of the Day

Here is Bill Maher and the incomprable Jane Lynch in a dramatic reading of the Anthony Weiner tweets.  It is So not safe for work:

PIcture of the Day

Neil Patrick Harris and his handsome husband David Burtka attend the Tony Eve Cocktail Party at the Hotel InterContinental in New York.   Obviously my invitation was lost in the mail.

Santorum Has Gay Friends

Santorum recently told Don Lemon that he's not a homophobe and he loves his gay friends:



He now joins Joe the Plumber, Sarah Palin, Maggie Gallagher, and all the others with mysterious and unnamed "gay friends."  Of course, those "differences of opinion" that he claims his "gay friends" "respect" including comparing our loving relationships to sex with children and sex with dogs.  Here are some other "differences of opinion" that Santorum's "gay friends" "respect:"

"Whether it's polygamy, whether it's adultery, whether it's sodomy, all of those things, are antithetical to a healthy, stable, traditional family."
"If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything."


"I have no problem with homosexuality. I have a problem with homosexual acts. As I would with acts of other, what I would consider to be, acts outside of traditional heterosexual relationships. And that includes a variety of different acts, not just homosexual. I have nothing, absolutely nothing against anyone who’s homosexual. If that’s their orientation, then I accept that. And I have no problem with someone who has other orientations. The question is, do you act upon those orientations? So it’s not the person, it’s the person’s actions. And you have to separate the person from their actions.”  (Apparently his "gay friends" are celebate).

“In this case, what we’re talking about, basically, is priests who were having sexual relations with post-​pubescent men. We’re not talking about priests with 3-​year-​olds, or 5-​year-​olds. We’re talking about a basic homosexual relationship.” (Blaming the Catholic church's scandal on gays and calling sex with underage teenagers "a basic homosexual relationship.")

Well, This Was Predictable

Congressman Anthony Weiner is going into rehab.  Now that Oprah's over, where will he do his mia culpa? 

Quote of the Day

"I truly can't imagine this show running for the years it needs to in order to recoup. If it does, what a failure of our standards for what constitutes entertainment, let alone art."


--Matthew Rettenmund of Boy Culture in his scathing review of the revamped Spiderman Turn Off the Dark.  To be fair, the show doesn't open until June 14.  Of course, that's in four days. 

Gingrich Campaign Defects

Much of Newt Gingrinch's senior campaign staff abruptly resigned yesterday.  The rats leaving the sinking SS Newty-Newt include spokesman Rick Tyler, campaign manager Bob Johnson, senior strategists and aids in South Carolina, Iowa, and New Hampshire.  Gingrich couldn't be reached for comment because he and Calista were off on a cruise to the Greek Islands.  Seriously.  It may seem strange for a presidential candidate to abruptly go on a luxury vacation in the midst of a campaign, but those Aegean sunsets set off Tiffany's diamonds so beautifully.    

Trouble: 1999-2011

Trouble Helmsley, undoubtedly the world's richest dog, has died at the age of 12 at his home in Sarasota, Florida.  The cause of death was not revealed.  He is survived by his caregiver, Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel General Manager Carl Lekic.  When Leona Helmsley died in 2007, she left her loyal Maltese $12 million.  A court later cruelly reduced that amount to $2 million.  The reduced funds covered Trouble's annual expenses including $1,200 for food, $8,000 for grooming, and $100,000 for security.  Trouble had gotten death threats.  Lekic was paid $60,000 a year to care for the dog.

It worked! Now, how to post from the Blackberry with a headline and an image. Hmmm...

I've just set up mobile posting from my Blackberry. This is a test! Will it work?

The Sissy Boy Experiment

Last night on CNN, Anderson Cooper reported on the shocking and tragic story of The Sissy Boy Experiment conducted, and still celebrated, by Dr. George Rekers.  The life of the boy in question, Kirk Andrew Murphy, was completely ruined by Dr. Rekers, who went on to found the Family Research Council and, more recently, was caught taking a rent boy on an all-expenses paid trip to Europe.  Rekers and the FRC continue to site the treatment of Kirk Andrew Murphy as evidence that gays can successfully changed into heterosexuals.  Watch below and see how the Family Research Council defines "success" when it comes to gay people:



Box Turtle Bulletin has an in-depth investigation that is a must read.

Quote of the Day

"Perhaps he could even take a personal vow of silence for the day and let the people who really know the religious practices of prayer and fasting to lead him, along with his like-minded governors, and the rest of us."

--WILLIAM LAWRENCE, Dean and Professor of American Church History, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University when asked if he would attend Gov. Rick Perry's "solemn day of prayer and fasting for our troubled nation" to be held at Reliant Stadium in Houston on August 6.  Perry has invited 49 of his fellow governors to join him.   

Congresman Weiner Confesses

New York Congressman Anthony Weiner today admitted that he did, in fact tweet a crotch shot to a young woman in Seattle.  It turns out that he has sent naughty pics, emails, tweets, and phone calls to about six women over the past few years, and did not stop when he recently married.  Professional slimeball Andrew Breitbart published the shirtless (and impressive) pics of the Congressman today and appears to have actually gotten one right, which really galls the shit out of me.  Weiner announced that he is not resigning, which seems smart since his actions, though incredibly stupid and disloyal to his wife, pale in comparison to those of politicians like Vitter and Craig who stayed in office.  If Weiner is telling the whole story (and why wouldn't he), he never actually met any of the women he e-flirted with.  As political sex scandals go, this one's pretty flacid.*  Here's the emotional Weiner's* statement:

   

So what do you think, New Yorkers?  Has he derailed his chance to be mayor?

*Forgive me.  At least I didn't go as far as Slog.

Santorum Runs/Woman Faints

Rick Santorum announced today that he is running for President and a woman in the audience reacted by passing out.



Being in the presence of Santorum can make you light headed. 

Monday's Man: Steve Callahan

I saw the very sexy new movie Role/Play, starring Steve Callahan and real life boyfriend Matthew Montgomery. 



Do I really have to explain why I thought he'd be a good choice for this series? 

What?  Too perfect?