tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43372990829922951162024-02-19T15:18:59.690+02:00Gay News and...moreBlog for men who like men...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-57337290947505687292015-05-23T21:01:00.002+03:002015-05-23T21:01:40.922+03:00Poll shows rising support for same-sex marriage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHUAShQzUHFVQ_WqeIhT5itdTCWrtVK2fG5t7XVccAgGxEw2z4WQsiHJt8KA320ZQJLaBOf9ogmMFDISsTR-Ikrqt5ipbKxKTDP6UloKNDa1KY9Q-Y56VSETujhiDu6N3dWsoc5CDnP8/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHUAShQzUHFVQ_WqeIhT5itdTCWrtVK2fG5t7XVccAgGxEw2z4WQsiHJt8KA320ZQJLaBOf9ogmMFDISsTR-Ikrqt5ipbKxKTDP6UloKNDa1KY9Q-Y56VSETujhiDu6N3dWsoc5CDnP8/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 property="description">
More than 80 per cent, after undecideds excluded, would vote Yes in referendum</h2>
<h2 property="description">
Support for the introduction of same-sex marriage is rising steadily, with a majority supporting the move, the latest <em>Irish Times</em>/Ipsos MRBI poll has found.</h2>
<div class="no_name">
Asked
how they would vote in the planned referendum on the issue, 71 per cent
said they would vote in favour, 17 per cent that they would vote No, 9
per cent had no opinion and 3 per cent refused to respond.</div>
<div class="no_name">
When
undecided voters or those who refused to respond are excluded, the Yes
figure rises to 81 per cent with 19 per cent on the No side. </div>
<div class="article_middle_box">
<ul class="icon_list business_news_list">
<li>
<img alt="‘I wrote about the ramifications of a ruling the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland made on the Derek Mooney show Mooney Goes Wild, where a discussion on marriage equality took place.’ Photograph: Cyril Byrne " height="79" src="http://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.2029835.1418027797%21/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_140/image.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0;" title="‘I wrote about the ramifications of a ruling the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland made on the Derek Mooney show Mooney Goes Wild, where a discussion on marriage equality took place.’ Photograph: Cyril Byrne " width="140" />BAI ruling on marriage equality comments stifles ongoing debate
</li>
<li>
<img alt="Marriage Equality: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has said that it has not issued any direction requiring that broadcasters must automatically ‘balance’ a discussion with an opposing view. Photograph: Getty" height="79" src="http://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.2030228.1418067922%21/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_140/image.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0;" title="Marriage Equality: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has said that it has not issued any direction requiring that broadcasters must automatically ‘balance’ a discussion with an opposing view. Photograph: Getty" width="140" />Broadcasters not told to ‘balance’ everything - BAI says
</li>
<li class="">
<img alt="" height="79" src="http://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.2030006.1418048403%21/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_140/image.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0;" title="" width="140" /> Irish Times Poll Full Coverage
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="no_name">
That shows an increase since the
last poll in October, when the figure, excluding undecided voters and
those who refused to answer, was 76 per cent for Yes to 24 per cent for
No. Back in November 2012, the margin was still closer, with 64 per cent
Yes and 36 per cent No. The referendum is to be held next April or May.</div>
<div class="no_name">
In party terms, Labour
voters are the most strongly in support of the move, with 80 per cent
saying they will vote Yes, just 9 per cent No and 11 per cent undecided
or refusing to respond. Support among Sinn Féin voters is almost as
strong, but supporters of Independents and smaller parties, as well as Fine Gael voters, are a little less enthusiastic. </div>
<div class="no_name">
Fianna Fáil
voters are the least supportive of the move, with 60 per cent saying
they will vote Yes, 26 per cent No and 14 per cent undecided.</div>
<div class="no_name">
In
class terms there is almost equal support for same-sex marriage across
the spectrum, with middle class voters marginally more in favour than
working class voters. </div>
<div class="no_name">
However, farmers are
significantly less enthusiastic, with 46 per cent in favour, 33 per cent
against and 21 per cent undecided. </div>
<h2 property="description">
There is also a marked difference between the sexes, with women more likely than men to say they will vote Yes. </h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-34594473052254212772015-05-23T20:58:00.000+03:002015-05-23T20:58:48.789+03:0067 percent of Irish will vote in favor of gay marriage in 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxeaKxrJh6NNxdE0z8fuwwYeDqI2bHvbP-6vxfnqKkHuqW_n4g-rSr4CKWgIps8odAMdmoDJ8Qf0XuQWT4KXNtzCuMj8Ih3ErFYAtumpa-jCrfkiCT29oSQ4Wd4KXTLpDDsEbKcdQBXI/s1600/MI%252BGay%252Bpride%252Bflag%252Bparade%252Bgetty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxeaKxrJh6NNxdE0z8fuwwYeDqI2bHvbP-6vxfnqKkHuqW_n4g-rSr4CKWgIps8odAMdmoDJ8Qf0XuQWT4KXNtzCuMj8Ih3ErFYAtumpa-jCrfkiCT29oSQ4Wd4KXTLpDDsEbKcdQBXI/s320/MI%252BGay%252Bpride%252Bflag%252Bparade%252Bgetty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
DUBLIN — Ireland has become the first nation to approve same-sex marriage by a popular vote, sweeping aside the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church in a resounding victory Saturday for the gay rights movement and placing the country at the vanguard of social change.<br /><br />With ballots from 34 out of the 43 voting areas counted, the vote was almost two to one in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. All but one of the districts that were counted voted yes, and it appeared to be statistically impossible for opposition votes to overcome the ayes.<br /><br />Turnout was large — more than 60 percent of the 3.2 million people eligible to vote cast ballots. Government officials, advocates and even those who had argued against the measure said that the outcome was a resounding endorsement of the constitutional amendment.<br /><br />The vote is also the latest chapter in a sharpening global cultural clash. Same-sex marriage is surging in the West, legal in 19 nations before the Irish vote and 37 American states, but almost always because of legislative or legal action. At the same time, gay rights are under renewed attack in Russia, in parts of Africa and from Islamic extremists, most notably the Islamic State.<br /><br />The results in Ireland, announced on Saturday, showed wide and deep support for a measure that had dominated public discourse and dinner-table conversation, particularly in the months before the lead-up to the vote on Friday. Supporters celebrated in gatherings and on the streets, with the rainbow colors of the gay rights movement and Yes vote buttons conspicuously on display.<br /><br />Surprising many who had predicted a generational divide, the support cut across age and gender, geography and income, early results showed.<br /><br />With early vote counts suggesting a comfortable victory, crowds began to fill a courtyard of Dublin Castle, a government complex that was once the epicenter of British rule. By late morning, the leader of the opposition, David Quinn, director of the Iona Institute, conceded the outcome on Twitter: “Congratulations to the Yes side. Well done.”<br /><br />For older activists, the moment marked a profound evolution of their country. For the world, it suggested how far the gay rights movement has come, to make such a significant step in a country with a storied history as a religious stronghold.<br /><br />“Throughout my youth, adolescence and young adulthood, it was a criminal offense to be gay,” said David Norris, a 70-year-old Irish senator and longtime activist.<br /><br />He said he had faced “total isolation” as a young man.<br /><br />“There was silence on the subject,” he said. “It wasn’t mentioned in the newspapers, it wasn’t mentioned in the broadcast media. Then there was a fear of criminal prosecution, of being involuntarily placed in a lunatic asylum, losing your job, being socially destroyed. It was a terrible situation.”<br />The referendum changes Ireland’s Constitution so that civil marriage between two people is now legal “without distinction as to their sex.” It requires ratification by both houses of the Irish Parliament and the president. Though that is a formality, the date when gay and lesbian couples can marry will be determined in that process.<br /><br /><br />There was support for the measure across the political spectrum, including from Prime Minister Enda Kenny of the center-right Fine Gael party, and his Labour coalition partner, which had pushed for the referendum. Sinn Fein, an opposition party, also expressed support.<br /><br />Many placed the results in a national context, saying it pointed not only to change but also to the compassion and tolerance of the Irish people.<br /><br />Alex White, the government’s minister for communications, said: “This didn’t change Ireland — it confirmed the change. We can no longer be regarded as the authoritarian state we once might have been perceived to be. This marks the true separation of church and state.”<br /><br />Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, said “There are two Irelands, the elite Ireland and the hidden Ireland. And today the hidden Ireland spoke.”<br /><br />Gay rights activists around the world had said a victory would be an important milestone.<br /><br />“I think this is a moment that rebrands Ireland to a lot of folks around the world as a country not stuck in tradition but that has an inclusive tradition,” said Ty Cobb, the international director of the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based advocacy group.<br /><br />Late in the campaign, four Catholic bishops urged parishioners to vote against the measure. But as ballot boxes were opened one by one, and paper yes and no votes stacked up in front of counters at long tables in a cavernous hall, optimism among referendum supporters grew.<br /><br />Campaigning on both sides of the debate has been underway for months, with posters, billboards and commercials. One opposition commercial said, “You should be able to have reservations about gay marriage without being called a homophobe,” while a commercial supporting same-sex marriage featured young people encouraging their parents to vote.<br /><br />Thousands are believed to have returned to Ireland to take part in the vote; plane tickets from London Friday night sold out.<br /><br />Leaders on both sides tried to strike a conciliatory note, though they said some issues remain to be sorted out, from rules on surrogacy to the ability of religious groups to hew to their views.<br /><br />“The personal stories of people’s own testimonies, as to their difficulties growing up being gay certainly struck a chord with people,” said Jim Walsh, an Irish senator who opposed the marriage referendum, during a television interview.<br /><br />“I would like today to not get back into the arguments that we had during the campaign but to wish them well,” he said. “But I think that going forward we will need to address issues which are going to arise.”<br /><br />In a news release, the Iona Institute congratulated the yes side for “a very professional campaign that in truth began long before the official campaign started.”<br /> <br /><br />But it also said “we will continue to affirm the importance of the biological ties and of motherhood and fatherhood” and urged the government to “address the concerns voters on the No side have about the implications for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.”<br /><br />Nick O’Connell, 42, who comes from a rural area in County Kilkenny in the Irish Midlands, was cradling a celebratory drink in a Dublin bar, the Back Lounge. He said he had been too afraid to come out as gay until his mid 20s.<br /><br />“Today I’m thinking of all those young people over the years who were bullied and committed suicide because of their sexuality. This vote was for them, too.”<br /><br />He added: “This is different from other countries because it was the people who gave it to us, not a legislature.”<br /><br />At Dublin Castle, onlookers carried rainbow colored umbrellas, feather boas and pins, along with T-shirts with Yes Equality written on them.<br /><br />“I’m too hyper to talk,” one woman wrapped in a rainbow flag said.<br /><br />But for many the mood was subdued, because much of the celebrating had come the night before.<br /><br />“Even yesterday there was just a weird sense of optimism across Dublin,” said Colum O’Hara, a 28-year-old in public relations at an advertising firm. “Last night felt like Christmas Eve.”<br /><br /> <br /><br />“It’s a great day for Ireland,” he added.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-4804493473886140952012-05-15T20:57:00.002+03:002012-05-15T20:57:59.401+03:00TRAVEL: Madrid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNNgkSIIzb8oSIcx54KG-wNkcO6NG-sE1-3gHAvinybjDzSxKDC82NnYJxbFNnSfcf-Keg2tg6J2lUa275QnMew5U4P8w8g82mjNo6cP0iKV4TRFA27mFYujB7dTPRGqncttPjqgvWX4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNNgkSIIzb8oSIcx54KG-wNkcO6NG-sE1-3gHAvinybjDzSxKDC82NnYJxbFNnSfcf-Keg2tg6J2lUa275QnMew5U4P8w8g82mjNo6cP0iKV4TRFA27mFYujB7dTPRGqncttPjqgvWX4/s320/1.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
Madrid, the bustling cosmopolitan
capital of Spain, offers a breathtaking journey through time with its
impressive monuments, palaces, fountains, religious houses and city
squares. The city’s architecture is a pastiche of styles and eras;
traces of the old Arab and medieval cities remain, mixed in with
structures built during the time of the Hapsburgs, Bourbons and King
Charles III, known as the “bricklayer king.” <br />
<br />
The Cuchilleros Arch is the most famous of nine gates into Madrid’s main
square, Plaza Mayor. It connects to La Cava de San Miguel, a street
full of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a wide range of Spanish
culinary delights (see sidebar). <br />
<br />
Tapas, small appetizer portions of various dishes, is a staple in
Spanish cuisine. The locals, known as Madrileños, dine late and commonly
have these small plates after work to tide them over until a 10 or 11pm
dinner. <br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="imageright" style="height: auto; width: 300px;">
<div class="storyimage">
<img id="ctl00_MainContent_ctlStoryText_Image_33875" src="http://www.xtra.ca/BinaryContent/stories/11/94/11944/web/718-Madrid-pride-festival_Tourism-Madrid.jpg.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" /></div>
<div class="storycaption">
The Pride Festival on Plaza de España.</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
There are many tapas spots to choose from in the old town, in the Sol,
La Latina, Plaza de Santa Ana, Cava Baja, Cava Alta and Plaza Mayor
areas. There are a handful of great gay-owned and -friendly restaurants
throughout the city, such as Carmencita and Divina la Cocina, in the
Chueca neighbourhood; Arroceria Gala and Paelleria Vallenciana, in
Puerta del Sol; and Gula Gula, on the Gran Via, to list a few
favourites.<br />
<br />
After a late-night meal, the vibrant club and nightlife scene awakens;
the strumming of Spanish guitars echoes in side streets as Euro-pop
builds inside the heaving clubs.<br />
<b><br />
Neighbourhoods</b><br />
<br />
The main gay neighbourhoods are Chueca, in the old quarter, and Barrio,
located in the centre just off Gran Via. The majority of gay venues are
situated in the maze of small streets around Plaza Chueca and onward
toward Gran Via. The area around Metro Lavapiés also has a cluster of
clubs and restaurants. <br />
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<img id="ctl00_MainContent_ctlStoryText_Image_33877" src="http://www.xtra.ca/BinaryContent/stories/11/94/11944/web/718-Madrid-cafe-boys_Mike-Thompson.jpg.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" /></div>
<div class="storycaption">
Outdoor cafés are great for people watching.</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
A number of gay-owned and -friendly bars, cafés, restaurants, boutique
shops, clubs and clothing stores are located in both areas. Same-sex
kissing and handholding are common sights in these neighbourhoods, and
in the city in general.<br />
<br />
Gran Vía and Paseo de la Castellana are two of Madrid’s most famous
streets and offer an unparalleled shopping experience, with Gran Vía
known for its antique shops and charming cafés. Paseo de la Castellana
is the place to go for deluxe hotels, art galleries and specialty
boutiques.<br />
<br />
<b>Culture </b><br />
<br />
Madrid Gay Pride, or Orgullo in Spanish, is one of the largest Pride
celebrations in Europe. It features a massive Saturday parade (this year
it takes place on June 30) from Puerta de Alcalá to Plaza de España.
Participants and viewers along the two-kilometre route number about 1.5
million people each year. Most of the Pride parties and celebrations are
held in the Chueca neighbourhood, a short walk from the city centre.
The Pride Festival, on the leafy Plaza de España, starts after the
parade, from about 6pm onward; the Plaza Chueca street parties attract
as many as 300,000 people.<br />
<br />
The Madrid Card is a great option for visitors who want to take in the
major tourist attractions. It offers free entrance to more than 50
museums, the Discover Madrid walking tours (organized by the tourist
board), the Teleférico cable car, the Real Madrid museum tour, a number
of shows, and discounts in various restaurants and shops. Visit
madridcard.com for more information.<br />
<div>
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<div class="storyimage">
<img id="ctl00_MainContent_ctlStoryText_Image_33876" src="http://www.xtra.ca/BinaryContent/stories/11/94/11944/web/718-Madrid-Cilbeles-and-Town-Hall_Tourism-Madrid.jpg.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" /></div>
<div class="storycaption">
Plaza de Cibeles and City Hall.</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
The Golden Triangle of Art consists of three world-renowned museums that
are home to some of Spain’s most famous works of art: Museo del Prado,
Spain’s main art museum, which houses some of Europe’s finest paintings
and sculptures, including works by Spanish artists Velázquez and
Francisco de Goya; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Spain’s
museum of 20th-century art, known for its collections of Pablo Picasso
(most famously Guernica) and Salvador Dalí; and Museo
Thyssen-Bornemisza, which fills in the gaps left by the other two.<br />
<b><br />
Getting around</b><br />
<br />
Madrid is a walker’s city, so be sure to allow plenty of time for
strolling. The Metro is big, cheap (1.50 euros per single trip; day
passes available) and efficient. English is the second language on the
signs and maps are free at the ticket booths. The Metro closes
overnight, with most stations opening at 6am. Some stations, such as
Puerta del Sol, open at 5am, with commuter lines for the airport or
Atocha Station intercity trains. Local buses are also a good option;
they operate from approximately 6am–11:30pm and run in special lanes on
the city’s main streets. White-and-red-striped taxis run day and night;
look for the city crest and a licence number on the side. If the green
light is on, the car is available. <br />
<br />
<b>Getting there</b><br />
<div>
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<img id="ctl00_MainContent_ctlStoryText_Image_33879" src="http://www.xtra.ca/BinaryContent/stories/11/94/11944/web/718-Madrid-bar-night_Mike-Thompson.jpg.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" /></div>
<div class="storycaption">
Madrid's nightlife starts late.</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
More than a dozen airlines service Madrid out of Toronto, including
non-stop flights on Air Canada and Lufthansa and one- and two-stop
flights through US and European cities. Madrid’s Barajas Airport is
about seven miles east of the city. The airport is connected by Metro
Madrid Line 8 to the city, with stations at the terminal buildings. It
takes about 50 minutes and less than $5 to reach the Chueca station,
with two line changes.<br />
<br />
<b>NOTABLES PLACES TO VISIT</b><br />
<br />
Cuchilleros Arch<br />
Neptune Fountain <br />
Teatro Real<br />
Puerta del Sol <br />
Puerta de Alcalá <br />
Plaza de Oriente<br />
Plaza Mayor<br />
Royal Palace of El Pardo<br />
<br />
<b> SAVOUR THE FLAVOURS</b><br />
<br />
While in Madrid, sample these tasty Spanish dishes:<br />
<br />
<b>Tortillitas de camarones</b>: shrimp fritters made with chickpea flour <br />
<b>Spicy chorizo sausage and cheese tortillas</b>: delicious hot or cold <br />
<b>Costillas</b>: barbecued mini-ribs<br />
<b>Ceviche</b>: fish/seafood marinated in lime juice <br />
<b> Artichoke-rice croquetas with manchego cheese</b><br />
<b> Prawn croquetas with béchamel </b><br />
<b>Cocido</b>: chickpea stew <br />
<b>Torrijas</b>: fried bread with honey or sugar<br />
<br />
<b>TRIP ADVISOR</b><br />
<br />
<b> Bars & Clubs</b><br />
Bears Bar<br />
Griffin’s Dance Club <br />
<br />
<b>Lodgings</b><br />
Hostal Puerta del Sol<br />
Petit Palace Ducal Chueca<br />
<br />
<b> Restaurants & Cafés</b><br />
Divina la Cocina<br />
Momo <br />
<br />
<b> Saunas & Sex Clubs</b><br />
Sauna Octopus<br />
Sauna Paraiso <br />
<div>
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<div class="storyimage">
<img id="ctl00_MainContent_ctlStoryText_Image_33874" src="http://www.xtra.ca/BinaryContent/stories/11/94/11944/web/718-Madrid-boys-n-dog_Mike-Thompson.jpg.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" /></div>
<div class="storycaption">
Madrid boys with their dog.</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<b> Shopping & Services</b><br />
Juan, Por Dios!<br />
Different Life Book/Sex Shop<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; padding-left: 5px;">
<div class="storytag">
For information on more than 150 gay and lesbian places of interest in Madrid, visit <a href="http://guidemag.com/">guidemag.com</a>.
</div>
<div>
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<span id="ctl00_MainContent_ctlStoryFooter_list_TagList" style="border-color: White; border-style: None; border-width: 0px; display: inline-block; width: 90%;"><span align="center" class="listheader" style="font-weight: bold;" valign="middle">Tags: </span><span><a class="Tag" href="http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/tag/madrid.aspx" id="ctl00_MainContent_ctlStoryFooter_list_TagList_ctl01_hlLinkToStory">madrid</a></span><span>, </span><span><a class="Tag" href="http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/tag/spain.aspx" id="ctl00_MainContent_ctlStoryFooter_list_TagList_ctl03_hlLinkToStory">spain</a></span></span>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-55104520833428028012012-05-15T20:50:00.001+03:002012-05-15T20:51:56.662+03:00President Obama, Gay Marriage, and a Thank You to Mom<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://towleroad.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c730253ef0167668272de970b-pi" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="273779-obama-champions-womens-rights-at-barnard-commencement-its-tough-out-th" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c730253ef0167668272de970b" src="http://towleroad.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c730253ef0167668272de970b-300wi" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px; width: 300px;" title="273779-obama-champions-womens-rights-at-barnard-commencement-its-tough-out-th" /></a>After arguing for
the morality and legality of marriage recognition for gays, President
Obama spoke to the graduating class at Barnard. Barnard is a small,
private, liberal arts college situated across the street from Columbia
University, with which it has been affiliated since 1900. But, Barnard
is notable for another reason: its students are all women.<br />
Some
of the more craven members of the political classes saw the President's
speech as outright pandering to the women's vote. Though no one can
blame the Obama re-election campaign for reminding women voters that the
Republican Party of 2012 is hostile to everything from reproductive
choice to contraception to equality, the man who stopped by Morningside
Heights this week was more professor than president, weaving an
historical narrative that linked the women's rights movement to his
unprecedented, brave, and important statement on marriage recognition.
In short, the President used Mother's Day weekend to say thank you to
those women -- from Margeret Sanger to Bella Abzug to Shirley Chisholm
to Ruth Bader Ginsburg -- who fought civil rights battles on behalf of
women. Without them, and the legal precedents they shaped, the gay
rights movement would be decades behind where it is today.<br />
The women's rights movement was not simply a fight for sexual
liberation against the bonds imposed by a patriarchial and Puritanical
culture. It was also a movement that established the right of personal
sexual privacy. Social and cultural historians are more equipped to
discuss the interaction and parallel lives of the women's and gay
movements and the expansion of sexual freedom. Today, I would like to
discuss the legal story.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="articlespan" itemprop="articlebody">In the Nineteenth
Century, women had few rights: they could not vote (something they still
could not do two decades into the next century), own property, or even
sever ties from an abusive husband. They had few, if any, sexual rights
at all. It made sense, then, that the women's movement started as a
quest for sexual freedom, the most important of which was birth control.
According to Professor Nan Hunter, Margaret Sanger transformed birth
control into a social movement. She developed the legal strategy against
contraception bans as both a health care issue (physicians need to be
able to prescribe these tools to women to protect women's health) and an
anti-obscenity crusade (states used obscenity rules to prevent doctors
and others from even discussing issues of family planning).<br />
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://towleroad.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c730253ef0168eb842f63970c-pi" style="float: left;"><img alt="Margaret-sanger-1-sized" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c730253ef0168eb842f63970c" src="http://towleroad.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c730253ef0168eb842f63970c-320wi" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" title="Margaret-sanger-1-sized" /></a>In
1916, Ms. Sanger opened the country's first birth control clinic in the
Brownsville section in Brooklyn. An overwhelmingly black neighborhood
today, Brownsville in 1916 was largely Jewish, always radical, poor, and
crime-ridden (the infamous Jewish crime syndicate, Murder, Inc.,
started in Brownsville). Ms. Sanger's clinic catered to all comers, but
Sanger made a particular plea to the poor: "Mothers," she announced,
"Can you afford to have a large family? Do you want any more children?
If not, why do you have to have them? ... Safe, harmless information can
be obtained by trained nurses. ... All mothers welcome." In 9 days, 464
women visited the clinic; on day 10, police arrested Ms. Sanger for
violating New York's obscenity laws.<br />
Obscenity laws banned conduct and certain speech that was contrary to
public morals. But, in addition to being statist and oppressive, they
were discriminatory: New York's law, for example, included one small
exception for physicians to discuss and provide contraceptives to
prevent or cure "disease," but the provision had always been interpreted
to apply only to condom use to prevent venereal diseases that affected
men. Ms. Sanger challenged the constitutionality of the statute and
though her conviction was affirmed by the state's highest court, she did
secure a broader definition of "disease" that would allow physicians to
protect women's health through birth control (<i>People v. Sanger</i> (N.Y. 1918)).<br />
Where Ms. Sanger sought broader access to birth control through the
doctors' exception, other advocates wanted to lift the cloud of
obscenity from birth control entirely. They challenged Connecticut's
contraception ban three times, losing in 1943 (<i>Tileston v. Ullman</i>) and in 1961 (<i>Poe v. Ullman</i>), and finally winning a great victory in <i>Griswold v. Connecticut</i> in 1965. in <i>Poe</i>,
Justice Harlan dissented, noting that the problem with the Connecticut
law was that the state was "intruding upon the most intimate details of
the marital relation." Married women, however, should have full control
over "the private use of their marital intimacy." In <i>Griswold</i>,
Justices Douglas and Ginsburg took two different routes to the same
conclusion: there is a certain special privacy in marriage that the
state cannot penetrate. And, in <i>Eisenstadt v. Baird</i> (1972),
after a medical professional was convicted of violating Massachusetts'
anti-contraception law by lecturing on it and giving an unmarried woman a
sample birth control device, the Supreme Court extended this right to
sexual privacy from married to unmarried individuals.<br />
By the time <i>Roe v. Wade </i>(1973) and <i>Planned Parenthood v. Casey</i> (1992) were decided, the principle of individual sexual privacy was an essential part of what it meant to be a free person. <i>Roe</i> and <i>Casey</i> are complex and deserve their own discussion; but, suffice it to say, <i>Casey</i> reminded us that women have a substantive due process right to make their own intimate decisions.<br />
A successful fight for gay equality and honor hinges on these
decisions. The successful fight against obscenity laws that prevented us
from talking about homosexuality in public and that banned gay groups
from organizing and gathering in public relied on the battles women
waged against those same obscenity laws since Ms. Sanger. The successful
fight against anti-sodomy laws relied on sexual privacy principles and
the liberty interest in being free to make your own intimate sexual
decisions. The successful repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" relied on
the argument that private, Constitutionally protected behavior could
never be inconsistent with honorable military service. Future success in
securing workplace non-discrimination protections for gays and lesbians
will assume the privacy and liberty principles of <i>Griswold</i>, <i>Eisenstadt</i>, and <i>Casey</i> to argue that one's private sexual identity could never be a reason to lose your job.<br />
And, perhaps most importantly, a successful argument for marriage
recognition hinges on the legal foundation of sexual liberty that the
women's movement has worked hard to secure. There are undoubtedly
additional steps to take, but a world where women can be forced to have
children because it is obscene to talk about vaginas, reproduction, and
abortion also is a world where police can arrest a gay man for making
love to his partner in the privacy of his own home. A world where a
woman cannot initiate divorce proceedings because divorce is immoral
also is a world where a lesbian cannot visit her same-sex partner in the
hospital because their relationship is immoral. And, a world where a
woman cannot choose her reproductive destiny is a world where a gay man
cannot choose his destiny to love, be loved, and bring new life into the
world.<br />
In a week where we are supposed to thank our mothers for the
sacrifices they made to raise us into the men and women we are today, do
not forget that we owe further thanks to the mothers of our civil
rights struggle. Their sacrifices -- and their legal accomplishments --
have made this extraordinary time possible. </span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-52116149242023096652011-03-10T12:18:00.004+02:002011-03-10T12:26:15.499+02:00CHRIS BROWN NUDEFor all of you out there that said ‘There’s no way that THAT pencil dick belongs to CHRIS BROWN, y’all,’ here it is, proven in all its glory, that Easy Breezy Brown is packing light.<br /><br />God hates people-beaters, Chris. The proof is in the pudding. Your penis is the proof.<br /><object height="374" width="448"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/e/16711680/wshhS240c4r4Hmu3nUmx"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="quality" value="high"> <embed src="http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/e/16711680/wshhS240c4r4Hmu3nUmx" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="374" width="448"></embed> </object><br /><br />I know you guys were all dying to know what it looked like, especially after his recent ‘abuse’ photo was released. Y’all were probably thinking, ‘Heck yes, the only thing hotter than this douchebag’s lips has got to be his wayward penis,’ so guys? Here it is. A picture of his penis, which was said to be taken for a girlfriend’s pleasure, and was also said to be leaked by Chris <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJnkp_mqgc_hS4vCc_26ZdY87p0pOPwrrGABAyTpJQjHHzQWsIVQV61LoK7TyBG135DATWrlkOoRGKVJAOfMpF3j2axpBlScDs2qh9w_SzYDJjGa8UqfV5eibcaRE1nlW6u-s-UarUrg/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJnkp_mqgc_hS4vCc_26ZdY87p0pOPwrrGABAyTpJQjHHzQWsIVQV61LoK7TyBG135DATWrlkOoRGKVJAOfMpF3j2axpBlScDs2qh9w_SzYDJjGa8UqfV5eibcaRE1nlW6u-s-UarUrg/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582394272328397250" border="0" /></a>himself, though his rep vehemently denies it.<br /><br />I mean, I’d deny it too, a penis that skinny. Laws yes.<br /><br />Jump in for the extremely NSFW (and large) photo of Chris Brown’s magic stick and dangly bits.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINHHv8h_liSvhPWmuuxgjVSQ6_qbsBkn75IR-YSvFE110-BXg0i4Irh3oJc6ui_HkcAiuCZQB_47suLRah374PgpAgcyrEMvsYg_gTHHujU9KKcihZ2TfQWgCCqnf_bKaSJKa2-tdcZw/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINHHv8h_liSvhPWmuuxgjVSQ6_qbsBkn75IR-YSvFE110-BXg0i4Irh3oJc6ui_HkcAiuCZQB_47suLRah374PgpAgcyrEMvsYg_gTHHujU9KKcihZ2TfQWgCCqnf_bKaSJKa2-tdcZw/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582394616784379634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Чисто гола снимка на Крис Браун се появи в Интернет</strong><br />На нея певецът показва мъжкото си "достойнство", снимайки се фронтално с телефона си пред огледало.<br /><br />Снимката се появи в Мрежата само седмица, след като нови фотографии на пребитата от него Риана излязоха наяве и изглежда, че е направена скоро, тъй като на нея певецът е с неотдавна изрусената си коса.<br /><br />"Странно как някой пуска тези снимки, точно преди да издам албума си", жалва се Крис в социалната мрежа Twitter, като по-късно изтри поста си.<br /><br />Новият му албум, наречен F.A.M.E. излиза на 22-ри март. Настоящият му сингъл "Look At Me Now" в момента е на 24 позиция в Billboard Hot 100 и на 5-та в класацията за R & B и Hip-Hop песни.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-89214220024808121212010-11-14T13:42:00.002+02:002010-11-14T13:43:53.906+02:00Travel companies ‘need to do more to be gay-friendly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVE6HdqqZpgMn0RLpLDrHdWzZRPWAIf81dM730CaxXLf_DKWgd8vtEf2M8L6_CCY8pe5Qsa-KmAj9zpwoCO-6GFW1bvqdJ-6TAY-hEF0skbty5zldqA9SbIzgngMsTJ-I615xQ_-3Wwc/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVE6HdqqZpgMn0RLpLDrHdWzZRPWAIf81dM730CaxXLf_DKWgd8vtEf2M8L6_CCY8pe5Qsa-KmAj9zpwoCO-6GFW1bvqdJ-6TAY-hEF0skbty5zldqA9SbIzgngMsTJ-I615xQ_-3Wwc/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539369598822731794" border="0" /></a>Although plenty of travel companies now advertise themselves as being gay-friendly, a survey shows that many need to do more to justify the claim. <p>Out Now Consulting compiled a survey of 8,000 LGBT people in the UK and 30,000 globally and says that there is often a gulf between the claims made by travel companies and the experiences gay travellers have.</p> <p>The research will be launched on Wednesday at the World Travel Market, with full results to be published in January.</p> <p>Ian Johnson, chief executive of Out Now Consulting, said: “These days, suddenly everyone wants to be ‘gay friendly’ and frankly, that has made today’s LGBT consumers extremely wary of the bona-fides of the welcome being extended.</p> <p>“Even the phrase ‘gay friendly’ is pretty hackneyed and does absolutely nothing to rescue a holiday that can be ruined when a stay feels far less than welcoming for a lesbian couple because of their experience at check-in, or for two gay men when ordering room service to the honeymoon suite.</p> <p>“The number one factor that LGBT travellers hope for when they travel away from home is an equal and genuine welcome, which means that travel providers need to improve their communications and behaviours.</p> <p>“So that LGBT people can enjoy what every other customer has taken for granted for years: the chance to simply be themselves on their vacation. It seems obvious that when we go on holidays we all want to relax and feel comfortable.</p> <p>“The industry needs to lift its game on the staff training front if it is going to deliver on the promises being made to LGBT travellers.</p> <p>“The message to the travel industry is clear. It‘s no longer good enough to tick an equality box, fly a rainbow flag or join an LGBT trade association because that’s not going to deliver the level of experience that today’s LGBT customers want.</p> <p>“Improvements need to be made.”</p> <p>Mr Johnson added the UK LGBT travel market has remained resilient despite the economic downturn. He said that it is now worth £5.1 billion annually, compared to £4.9 billion in 2007-2008.</p> <p>Top ten desired destinations over the next three years:</p> <p>1. USA<br />2. Australia<br />3. France<br />4. Italy<br />5. Spain<br />6. Canada<br />7. Germany<br />8. New Zealand<br />9. Greece<br />10. Ireland</p> <p>Top 10 European Cities:</p> <p>1. Paris<br />2. Amsterdam<br />3. Rome<br />4. Barcelona<br />5. Berlin<br />6. London<br />7. Venice<br />8. Madrid<br />9. Prague<br />10. Vienna</p> <p>Top 10 North American Cities:</p> <p>1. New York City<br />2. San Francisco<br />3. LA/West Hollywood<br />4. Las Vegas<br />5. Miami<br />6. Chicago<br />7. Vancouver<br />8. Toronto<br />8. Washington DC<br />10. Key West and the Florida Keys</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-89230453847364239402010-11-14T13:36:00.003+02:002010-11-14T13:38:19.741+02:00Elton John concert paid for by EU development funds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQUQWjdBBWHmA5VZgUigYWB1lS7A2KkSe935UBfnhBTiteJlOpeQmONsOHGSbCfkge9k-LzelslsrO1QH_XRQGbGQGYFWhAr4FzHeQ81QVOtsMiBkSM33N3hCsvYGPncNs2AxNw42_sg/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQUQWjdBBWHmA5VZgUigYWB1lS7A2KkSe935UBfnhBTiteJlOpeQmONsOHGSbCfkge9k-LzelslsrO1QH_XRQGbGQGYFWhAr4FzHeQ81QVOtsMiBkSM33N3hCsvYGPncNs2AxNw42_sg/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539367998401141506" border="0" /></a>The European Union is investigating why its development funds were used to pay for an Elton John concert in Italy last year. <p>John performed for thousands of people at the Piedigrotta festival in Naples in September 2009.</p> <p>At least £509,000 of EU funds were said to have been used to pay for his concert.</p> <p>EU spokesman Tom van Lierop told Associated Press today that the EU Commission wants “to know as quickly as possible” why the money was used for the performance.</p> <p>The funds are normally used to boost the economies of poorer EU countries.</p> <p>Dario Scalabrini, who was involved in organising the protest, argued: “This money was given for the marketing of the city, and that is what we did. Just consider the number of people who stayed in Naples because of the concert.”</p><p><a href="http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/11/12/elton-john-concert-paid-for-by-eu-development-funds/">pink news</a><br /></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-22191402411764204092010-11-14T13:12:00.002+02:002010-11-14T13:14:28.138+02:00T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelson Part Ways<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyOT4Z2eZFXoS2_SKxJihPjyXl5cWmRyYwX0Zxyt4XK76dNX3aO_MFa7ijapBJbeR8CVhC8a96o-vD58rpS22KGRF0quz21YXwkC6qkZQ30qheeyFU7ttzPG8OXIy__TIaizBOLxerSE/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyOT4Z2eZFXoS2_SKxJihPjyXl5cWmRyYwX0Zxyt4XK76dNX3aO_MFa7ijapBJbeR8CVhC8a96o-vD58rpS22KGRF0quz21YXwkC6qkZQ30qheeyFU7ttzPG8OXIy__TIaizBOLxerSE/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539361887125558850" border="0" /></a><br /><p> <strong>T.R. Knight</strong> and <strong>Mark Cornelson</strong>. They were the very first couple we included in our first gay celebrity boyfriends feature, but sadly as a couple they are no more. At least that's what is being reported by <i>New York Daily News</i>' gossip blog Gatecrasher. </p> <blockquote> <p> "Just weeks after he said he wanted to adopt a child, the former "Grey's Anatomy" star, 36, reportedly asked 20-year-old Mark Cornelsen to move out of the apartment they shared. "It just came to a natural end, no hard feelings," says a friend. "They still care about each other very much." </p> </blockquote> <p> The way the item was worded it sounds like Knight might have been the one to break things off. At any rate it is sad news. </p> <p align="center"> <em>In happier times.</em><br /><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/boyfpic3.jpg" border="0" width="450" /> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-34228581282192768762010-10-25T20:43:00.003+03:002010-10-25T20:47:13.843+03:00Gay Sex Scenes That Made Movie History<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AThdhkJXjzZwKud8pjbkBPo4LsvNgG4YElCdlX_ywe99XLK0u1CWkYxy59CrOoLrZJnYx6RRjV-awdhY7NAOkQaTHGTkQzJxeNyjUFnwbcuwkhsc4eja61FXISKn_jSZHklNLxNxl_o/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AThdhkJXjzZwKud8pjbkBPo4LsvNgG4YElCdlX_ywe99XLK0u1CWkYxy59CrOoLrZJnYx6RRjV-awdhY7NAOkQaTHGTkQzJxeNyjUFnwbcuwkhsc4eja61FXISKn_jSZHklNLxNxl_o/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532040904214106642" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Once upon a time, there were no gay and lesbian sections in the video stores, no queer film festivals, no debates over whether or not showing gay men having sex was good for the gay community's image. There were definitely no major theatrical releases of big-budget films in which gay men had sex, and certainly no one ever dreamed a film like that could ever be nominated for an Oscar. </p> <p>Here, AfterElton.com takes a look back at the most important and groundbreaking gay male sex scenes in films. These are films that for the most part had a major American theatrical release, even if it was of limited scope, with a few groundbreaking foreign, art house and GLBT film festival movies included as well. These criteria are admittedly somewhat subjective, so if you feel we've missed a film that broke new ground with its use of sex between men, let us know. </p> <p align="center"><strong>The Golden Age </strong></p> <p>In the mid-'80s a kind of sea change hit American theaters. Far from being art house and gay film festival exceptions, foreign films with gay male protagonists and overt depictions of gay male sexuality began filling theaters in cities across the United States, earning rave reviews and doing well at the box office. </p> <p>This "golden age" had its roots in the post-Code, post-Stonewall days of the '60s, when a number of films with gay male sex scenes were made. And prior to the late '80s, when the AIDS epidemic and the changing political scene sent many gay films back into the film festival closet, we saw a high watermark in terms of gay sex on screen.</p> <p><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/bestgayseximg16.jpg" class="inline left" /><em><strong>Another Country </strong></em>(1984)<br />The two lovers at the center of this lyrical and ultimately unsettling film are not shown in an explicit sex scene. Instead, their own delicately constructed romance is interwoven with the discovery of a sexual encounter between two other boys at the same British boarding school in the 1930s, and its aftermath. </p> <p>While <em>Another Country </em> is loosely based on the Guy Burgess spy case that was more accurately recounted in John Schlesinger's 1983 BBC film <em>An Englishman Abroad</em>, it's primarily the love story of Burgess, played by a painfully young Rupert Everett, and James Harcourt, played by a dewy-lipped, even younger Cary Elwes. The film was shot at Cambridge, Oxford and Princess Diana's childhood home, Althorp Hall, because Eton, which Burgess attended, refused permission. </p> <p align="center"><i>Rupert Everett (left) and Cary Elwes</i><br /><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/bestgayseximg11.jpg" /></p> <p>The sexual encounter between the two boys is intercut with Bennett's dreamy glances at Harcourt during a school assembly, and ultimately with one gentle cuddle in the moonlight, during which Bennett presses a kiss into Harcourt's hair. However romantic the relationship is, it doesn't protect them from the heightened scrutiny on homosexual experimentation among the students resulting from the suicide of one of the boys discovered having sex in a gymnasium changing room. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><em>Another Country </em> opened in the United States to critical acclaim and was nominated for a Golden Palm at Cannes in 1984. Most significantly, it marked the beginning of what became a golden age of gay male films, many British, which appeared in the next few years. (1984 also marked the commercial release of Italy's <em>Ernesto</em>, which was made in 1979 and had a film festival run in 1980.)<br /></p><p><object width="320" height="247"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/video/x2ameu?width=320&theme=none&foreground=%23F7FFFD&highlight=%23FFC300&background=%23171D1B&start=&animatedTitle=&iframe=0&additionalInfos=0&autoPlay=0&hideInfos=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/video/x2ameu?width=320&theme=none&foreground=%23F7FFFD&highlight=%23FFC300&background=%23171D1B&start=&animatedTitle=&iframe=0&additionalInfos=0&autoPlay=0&hideInfos=0" width="320" height="247" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ameu_guy-james-james-is-brave_shortfilms">Guy/James - James is brave</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/123lucyfur">123lucyfur</a>. - <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/en/channel/shortfilms">Classic TV and last night's shows, online.</a></i><br /></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-82970542567726413292010-10-25T20:35:00.002+03:002010-10-25T20:39:16.258+03:00"New York Times" Interview Raises Issue of Zachary Quinto's Sexual Orientation<div class="content"> <p align="center"> <img style="width: 470px; height: 313px;" src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/quintotimesblog.jpg" border="0" /> </p> <p> <strong>In a sign that the traditional media </strong>is continuing to move away from the idea that asking celebrities about their sexual orientation is somehow offlimits, the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/theater/24quinto.html"><strong><em>New York Times</em> published an interview today with Zachary Quinto</strong></a> that broached the topic. About Quinto, who is starring in the upcoming revival of <strong>Tony Kushner</strong>'s <em><strong>Angels in America</strong></em>, the <em>Times </em>notes that ..."the blogosphere is rife with speculation about his sexuality, no doubt fueled by his support for gay rights and organizations like the <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" title="Web site for Trevor Project.">Trevor Project.</a> He prefers not to feed that rumor mill with either substantiation or dismissal. He speaks passionately about gay marriage, about “<span class="meta-classifier">don’t ask, don’t tell</span>” and about the recent wave of gay bullying and suicides. </p> <p> Quinto addresses the topic with the <em>Times </em>by saying only: </p> <blockquote> <p> The fact that these things are such hot-button issues right now, socially and politically, I would much rather talk about that than talk about who I sleep with. I would love to be a voice in this maelstrom of chaos and obsessive celebrity infatuation that says, ‘Let’s talk about something that matters." </p> </blockquote> <p> The article ends by noting of Quinto: </p> <blockquote> <p> That sense of social accountability is a quality Mr. Quinto shares with Louis, who rails against the hatred lurking beneath the surface of so-called tolerance. “To return to the theater is one thing,” he said. “But to return to the theater doing a play of this import and resonance — it’s beyond thrilling.” </p> </blockquote> <p> Here is Quinto's "It Gets Better" video which has helped fuel speculation about his sexual orientation.<br /></p><p><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D0OeSs870ys?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D0OeSs870ys?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /></p> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-27874685594877626122010-06-06T21:57:00.001+03:002010-06-06T21:59:10.505+03:00Greek gays rally against discrimination<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqAxU8cJq4pDnxd2GBvaaAG7CyxDvoVdd1w-kYblR42_7RX-cGrq0Lfr0sJHLCkDHLBQSKlWcIY_j60DC3MTTa1QZhv3l4QmLB1GZQESJUacOMOn5MWZmLQz1mfcr7mUp9y-6CQ2X7VI/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqAxU8cJq4pDnxd2GBvaaAG7CyxDvoVdd1w-kYblR42_7RX-cGrq0Lfr0sJHLCkDHLBQSKlWcIY_j60DC3MTTa1QZhv3l4QmLB1GZQESJUacOMOn5MWZmLQz1mfcr7mUp9y-6CQ2X7VI/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479737060644539234" border="0" /></a><br /><p><b>AFP - </b>Three thousand Greeks gays and lesbians marched through the centre of Athens on Saturday to demonstrate gay pride and protest against discrimination.</p> <p>"We're everywhere" declared the banner at the head of the parade.</p> <p>In a city that has recently seen more protests against the Greek government's austerity measures, another banner proclaimed: "Fighting discrimination and the economic crisis is the same battle!"</p> <p>The country approved a form of civil unions in 2008 especially for homosexuals, but the gay community has been seeking the approval of full gay marriages.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-32066509327575372232010-06-06T21:49:00.003+03:002010-06-06T21:53:17.406+03:00Moscow Pride 'a success', gay activists say<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6yS5gTPv9b47tVDet9DDsfeF1PgMMDxUbXA-MSfCfoaLC-tI6HQX-vTtm1l3KFzCHhcxWOZNKqnMITStcRJ1oc0SWmx9JuhI8gEMkK_f6FzcVWUnckuvmx5JHmzOgn_jfnbo2nqZRfc/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6yS5gTPv9b47tVDet9DDsfeF1PgMMDxUbXA-MSfCfoaLC-tI6HQX-vTtm1l3KFzCHhcxWOZNKqnMITStcRJ1oc0SWmx9JuhI8gEMkK_f6FzcVWUnckuvmx5JHmzOgn_jfnbo2nqZRfc/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479734886430699122" border="0" /></a><br /><p>A ten-minute flashmob in Moscow last weekend has been hailed as the first successful Pride parade in the city.</p> <p>Gay rights activists were denied permission to hold a Pride by city officials for the fifth year running but 30 marchers were able to outwit police and security forces.</p> <p>They marched down a main street in the city centre on Saturday May 29th carrying a 20-metre rainbow flag and placards in Russian and English calling for gay rights and an end to homophobia.</p> <p>This is the first time a Pride event in Moscow has proceeded without violence or arrests.</p> <p>Calling it a "guerrilla-style hit-and-run" Pride, British gay rights activist Peter Tatchell described how organisers fed police false information about where the march would take place.</p> <p>He said: "All morning the Gay Pride organisers fed the police a steady stream of false information, via blogs and websites, concerning the location of the parade.</p> <p>"They suggested that it would take place outside the EU Commission's offices. As a result, the police put the whole area in total lockdown, closing nearby streets and metro stations in bid to prevent protesters assembling there."</p> <p>He added: "The Russian gay activists have won a big political and morale victory. They staged their Gay Pride march, despite it being banned by the mayor and the judges, and despite the draconian efforts by the police and FSB security services to prevent it from taking place."</p> <p>Principal organiser Nikolai Alekseev, said: "Though the March was short – it happened. All the Russian media reported that for the first time in five years, the gay parade took place in Moscow without being arrested by the police and assaulted by protesters."</p> <p>Moscow City Hall banned the latest march citing reasons of security, although Mr Alekseev told PinkNews.co.uk last week that the decision was "purely political" and had nothing to do with safety.</p> <p>Moscow's mayor Yuri Luzhkov has consistently refused permission for the march and has called gays and lesbians"satanic" in the past.</p> <p>In May 2006, more than 120 people were arrested and in 2007, Mr Tatchell was severely beaten by neo-Nazis. Last year, marchers accused police of brutality.</p> <p>Mr Alekseev and other activists expect that by the time next year's Pride parade is held, the ban will have been lifted.</p> <p>They are awaiting a European Court of Human Rights judgment on the case, which is expected this summer.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-6560411550254059652010-06-06T21:43:00.001+03:002010-06-06T21:45:42.881+03:00Ricky Martin honoured by AIDS research gala<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aOVMm6XW8q62wKviTZkiK2RxpUr-ZLrmPQ2I3KTzXWkuE_KeEaI6PqpXWmx6Vtq2LNEGffcOjbZ_XENA8Dbvm7hYGo06pqpxHWdJuFBah50Qp5q4LqnBm29ywD5CDwxIdpxX83WLijU/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aOVMm6XW8q62wKviTZkiK2RxpUr-ZLrmPQ2I3KTzXWkuE_KeEaI6PqpXWmx6Vtq2LNEGffcOjbZ_XENA8Dbvm7hYGo06pqpxHWdJuFBah50Qp5q4LqnBm29ywD5CDwxIdpxX83WLijU/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479733521699802306" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Ricky Martin has been honoured at an AIDS research event.</p> <p>In one of his first public appearance since coming out, Martin attended a gala for amfAR's Aids research in New York City last night.</p> <p>The Livin' La Vida Loca singer was honoured for philanthropic contributions he has made to the cause through his foundation.</p> <p>Other attendees were gay icons were Cyndi Lauper and hostess Kylie Minogue.</p> <p>Minogue said Martin was "embracing and living life".</p> <p>After refusing to answer questions about his sexuality for years, the father to twin boys came out in March.</p> <p>He posted a message on his website which said: "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-86831859683296270172010-01-17T15:27:00.001+02:002010-01-17T15:29:41.740+02:00Review: "Redwoods" is a Gay Romance That's Worth Getting Lost In<div class="byline"> by <div class="username">Brent Hartinger</div><!--close username--><br /><br /></div><!--close byline--> <div class="content"> <p align="center"> <img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/redwoods2011010.jpg" border="0" /> </p> <p> Two people weary from life meet unexpectedly and, even though they only know each other for a couple of days, discover a mind-blowing love that Changes Everything. But one of them has unbreakable commitments elsewhere — forcing him to ask, "Do I dare pursue this mind-blowing love, even if it means hurting other people?" </p> <p> It's the plot of <em>Bridges of Madison County</em> and <em>Nights in Rodanthe</em>, right? </p> <p> It's also the basic plot of a charming new gay movie, <em>Redwoods, </em>released last month on DVD. </p> <p> <span class="inline inline-right"><img class="image image-_original" src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/images/redwoodsuparrow.jpg" border="0" width="125" height="71" /></span>Everett feels stifled with Miles, the man with whom he is raising an autistic son. But then Miles and their son go away for a week, and Everett meets Chase, a traveling novelist in town to research a book. </p> <p> And so begins a brief, bittersweet love affair that will echo throughout the ages. </p> <p> Look, if you simply can't buy this premise of "soul-mates," of love-at-first-sight, you won't like this movie. And truthfully? I don't buy this premise either, not in real life, where I think "infatuation" is completely different from "true love," which is something that grows slowly over time. </p> <p>But for some reason, I can suspend my disbelief long enough to buy it on movie screens — or at least I bought it here — even despite a wildly over-the-top ending. This is a fantasy, pure and simple, and it is exactly as ridiculous as the two movies I mentioned above. </p> <p>It helps that the two leads, Matthew Montgomery (Chase) and Brendan Bradley (Everett), do a wonderful job of selling all this. Bradley, who is reportedly straight in real life, has an appealingly vulnerable quality to him — exactly what the role requires. And Montgomery, who is openly gay and well-known in indie gay film, is certainly my idea of a handsome stranger who would force me to Question Everything. </p> <p align="center"> <em>Brendan Bradley and Matthew Montgomery</em><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/redwoods011009.jpg" border="0" /> </p> <p> Keep in mind that <em>Redwood</em>s is a micro-budget indie gay movie, surely made on a shoestring. As such, the synth-heavy music is occasionally distracting, the story flags for a bit, and the dialogue is sometimes a little clunky (especially toward the end when they discuss <strike>Chase's novel</strike> their relationship). </p> <p> That said, this is night-and-day better than most similarly-budgeted projects: the script is solid, the acting is remarkably good (and consistent; unlike a lot of these micro-budget movies, there are no painfully wooden supporting players). And — I know this sounds like a small thing, but it's not — the lighting, which is so often "off" in these indie gay movies, looks professionally done. </p> <p> Better still, the movie takes great advantage of the redwood forests where it is set. Too many low-budget movies are set in the front room of the director's house, and they feel weirdly claustrophobic. This movie took the exact opposite approach — small budget, but big scope — and it absolutely paid off. </p> <p>Mostly, I appreciate that, more and more, we live in an age where gay movies don't have to always be angsty and depressing, or preachy and pointed. There are no closeted boyfriends in <em>Redwoods</em>, no disapproving parents to come out to. </p> <p> This a pure cheese, a frothy romance — a gay guilty pleasure! And in my book, that makes this the most revolutionary gay film I've seen in quite some time.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.afterelton.com">http://www.afterelton.com</a><br /></p> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-89227637338872302202010-01-17T15:18:00.000+02:002010-01-17T15:22:07.273+02:00Why Is White Collar's Matthew Bomer's Sexuality Such a Secret?<span style="font-weight: bold;">White Collar's Matt Bomer Is a Proud Out Gay Man Who Doesn't 'Care' About the Rumors He's a Gay</span><br /> <br /><br /><div class="copy"> <p><img src="http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2009/10/bomer3.jpg" alt="bomer3" title="bomer3" class="alignright size-full wp-image-72989" width="270" height="203" /></p> <p>The USA Network has a certain prescription for its shows: <em>Psych</em>, <em>Monk</em>, <em>Royal Pains</em>, and <em>Burn Notice</em> all are drama-comedies with romance mixed in. They're com-rom-drams? Rom-dramedies? And for the most part, they all have a gay-ish element: On <em>Psych</em>, the completely hetero friendship between Gus and Sean is mixed in with bromance jokes; <em>Burn Notice</em>'s Jeffrey Donovan is like a cable network James Bond (and we all know how gay that makes him). And new this season is <em>White Collar</em>, a show that follows the same USA composite: Cute lead character involved solving problems (crimes, as most of USA's shows do). And <em>White Collar</em> also has the gay-ish element: The leading man, Matthew Bomer's Neal Caffrey, is cute and savvy and sexually confident. But we didn't know just how much <em>White Collar</em> went gay. Just two episodes into the series, and we learn its headlining actor is a 'mo.<span id="more-72984"></span></p> <p><img src="http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2009/10/bomerhallsC-320x224.jpg" alt="bomerhallsC" title="bomerhallsC" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-73012" width="320" height="224" /></p> <p>Earlier this week, the gossip blogger known for making that "faggot" remark claimed Bomer is openly gay, and in a relationship with Simon Halls (pictured, on right), the chief executive of public relations firm PMK/HBH, one of the largest and most powerful PR firms in all the land. (You might have heard their name back when PMK's then-CEO Pat Kingsley, Tom Cruise's one-time publicist, made a sport out of shooting down gay rumors.) The item was picked up by the blog <em>Boy Culture</em> and the kids on gossip forum <em>Data Lounge</em>.</p> <p>Bomer, whose past credits include standard soap opera stints and a regular gig on <em>Tru Calling</em>, is not being outed by his own camp; the website <em>AfterElton</em> asked Bomer's publicist about the situation, and she replied, "No comment," and "We don't comment on any of our client's personal lives." (That's a lie. PMK regularly shoots down rumors about client Jennifer Aniston's pregnancy, as just one example.)</p> <p><img src="http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2009/10/bomer2-320x240.jpg" alt="bomer2" title="bomer2" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-72992" width="320" height="240" /></p> <p>But then there's the evidence. Namely, photos of Bomer and another gent (not Halls) in major make-out mode. (That's him in the red.)</p> <p>For his part, Halls is openly gay. He and PMK co-chief Stephen Huvane, who is also gay (and a looker), exercise a level of power that, it would not be an exaggeration to say, can literally make or break someone's Hollywood career. They represent clients like Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Neil Patrick Harris. Stephen's brother, Kevin Huvane, is also in the business: He's the <s>manager</s> agent of folks like — yup! — Jennifer Aniston. There are plentiful stories about Halls and Huvane treating Hollywood as their own fiefdom; more often than not, they are true.</p> <p>So while it's pretty exciting to see a couple of gay men wielding so much influence in an industry where being gay is still a scarlet letter for actors, it's also a little frightening to see what happens when they try to use that power to shut down reports that impact them personally. Halls's camp wasn't successful in getting the gay celeb blogger to remove the item, but <em>Boy Culture</em> did take down the photos by "kind request." The blog <em>Greg In Hollywood</em> removed the photos, because "the photo is several years old and since the actor is out and in a committed relationship, I’ve decided to take it down. The request was made very politely by Bomer through friends."</p> <p><img src="http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2009/10/bomer1-320x240.jpg" alt="bomer1" title="bomer1" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-72994" width="320" height="240" /></p> <p>But the Internet never deletes anything. The photos of Bomer kissing another fella are regularly available to anyone with a few minutes and interest to find it. And it's ridiculous to think that getting them yanked from a couple gay blogs will delete it from anyone's memory.</p> <p>We can understand the position Bomer is in: He's been openly gay for much of his career, at least inside the industry, but now he's headlining a nearly-guaranteed-to-be-blockbuster series on USA, in a role that requires (female) viewers to lust after him. We won't jump to conclusions, but if history is any indicator, USA's executives (and those at parent NBC Universal) won't be too thrilled with Bomer's sexuality making headlines.</p> <p>To which we say: Too late.</p> <p>Or maybe Halls is just unhappy seeing the Internet flooded with pics of his current beau getting randy with another man?</p> <p><a name="update"></a><br /><strong>UPDATE:</strong> Sean Akers, Web designer to the gay stars (read: Zachary Quinto), who says he is a friend of Bomer, writes <em>Queerty</em>: "Matt Bomer is an out actor. He is dating Simon Halls. They have kids. And these pics are 9 years old. It is drudging up his past to reveal something that isn't a secret. Posting these pics only serves to hurt Matt's family. He is not hiding, but this kind of post is exactly why so many gay actors do hide. In a world where this shouldn't matter, it still does. As his friend, I am thinking of his kids and his relationship. I am thinking about how people in a community that should respect Matt for being open about his sexuality are being turned against him. He didn't ask you people to take down the pics. Simon Halls and PMK had nothing to do with it. It was me who asked. As Matt's friend. Matt is the kindest person I know. He is genuine and he works very hard on his career and on his relationships. His family is his priority. And the post and the pics sadden me."</p> <p>It's a nice sentiment, but here's the rub: As a high-profile television actor, Bomer sells his personal life as much as his acting skills. This is the arrangement celebrities agree to when they join the Hollywood elite. Ask George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, and even Jon Gosselin. Or Rosie, Ellen, and Neil. Substantial paydays and the perks of celebrity are joined by prying eyes who want to know about your intimate lives. And especially because Bomer is an out actor, as Akers notes, he should understand his private life carries an asterisk. Our coverage is not the reason actors stay in the closet; they stay in the closet to avoid being labeled gay by the mainstream entertainment press. Us? We want to celebrate famous gay folks (who aren't assholes)! We report on the romances and break-ups of TR Knight and Adam Lambert and Rosie O'Donnell. Welcome to the fold, Bomer. We're happy to add you to the list of out and proud gay men with mainstream acting gigs. Surely you'll be accepting a GLAAD award this time next year then?</p> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-41174154448790213722010-01-17T15:05:00.001+02:002010-01-17T15:13:26.372+02:00Mr Gay China Beauty Pageant Closed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWRqMaGEZEXWw7Bx1zonp6Ctr-kYqBo8c1yqU-Kg6dWOBTEx9PrG9Ys7YKPvuU-6pS5j5AMx6dLlJICsv2v1CIPIsraoMm_QBQ-db-nNapGxDbiaWTdNfoqVA2iWQ8_FKdGCtxPCl9N4/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWRqMaGEZEXWw7Bx1zonp6Ctr-kYqBo8c1yqU-Kg6dWOBTEx9PrG9Ys7YKPvuU-6pS5j5AMx6dLlJICsv2v1CIPIsraoMm_QBQ-db-nNapGxDbiaWTdNfoqVA2iWQ8_FKdGCtxPCl9N4/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427695982783465490" border="0" /></a><br />The press releases sounded promising: “The Mr Gay China competition is much more than a beauty contest. While physical beauty will be part of the judges’ considerations, it is a young man’s character and personality that will make a difference in the selection."<p>The winner will be chosen by the audience at the event, whom they believe will be the best representative of gay China, among the final three candidates who are selected by the judges</p> <p>Although homosexuality was officially considered a mental illness until as recently as 2001, gay events in China have been neutrally, if not positively, covered by local media in recent years.</p> <p>Co-organiser and Managing Director Ben Zhang was recently quoted in media reports as saying that mainstream media will not be invited to the pageant as he is concerned that overexposure might result in “unnecessary difficulties.</p><p>And then:</p><p> BEIJING -- Police shut down what would have been <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/countries/china.html?nav=el">China's</a> first-ever gay pageant on Friday an hour before it was set to begin, highlighting the enduring sensitivity surrounding homosexuality and the struggle by gays to find mainstream acceptance. </p> <p>Organizers said they were not surprised when eight police officers turned up at the upscale club in central Beijing where the pageant, featuring a fashion show and a host in drag, was set to take place. </p> <p>"They said the content, meaning homosexuality, there's nothing wrong with that, but you did not do things according to procedures," Ben Zhang said. Police told him he needed official approval for events that included performances, in this case a stage show. </p> <p> "I kind of saw that coming," Zhang said. </p> <p>Chinese police frequently cite procedural reasons for closing down gatherings that are deemed to be politically sensitive. Though the pageant did not have any overt political agenda, similar events in the past - such as a parade during the Shanghai Pride Festival last year - have been blocked by authorities.<br /></p><a href="http://planethomo.com">http://planethomo.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-40587156727658395952009-12-27T15:07:00.001+02:002009-12-27T15:10:17.481+02:00Interview magazine's 20 Gorgeous people<span style="display: inline;"><img alt="zac efron, celebrity, goregous, colin" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c521553ef0120a77f98a5970b " src="http://planethomo.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c521553ef0120a77f98a5970b-500wi" title="zac efron, celebrity, goregous, colin" /></span><br />One of the great things about magazines (and blogs) is the hauteur of lists.<br /><br />The last week of any year will find everyone scrambling to put together their list of significant events, people, deaths, and stories. <a href="http://www.interviewmagazine.com/">Interview</a> magazine, which was started in 1969 by Andy Warhol and Gerald Melanga has always been dedicated to celebrity. So it is no surprise that that the magazine doesn’t just make the claim for the year, BUT THE LAST DECADE! It would seem so subjective, but that is what an opinion is—so who is the sexiest person the last decade? Looking like a child with some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrone_Power">Tyrone Power </a>DNA, it is Zac Efron. Others include Chance Crawford, Ashley Greene, Colin Farrell, Kate Moss, Ryan Phillippe and a bevy of other young beauties. The beauty of lists is that undoubtedly someone will disagree, that said, the Interview list does seem hell-bent on youth, which assuredly is no guarantee of being gorgeous.<br />http://planethomo.com/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-81687173982753851952009-12-27T15:04:00.000+02:002009-12-27T15:05:28.319+02:00Which Bi-ish Actor Has an Escort for a Boyfriend?<div class="copy"> <p><img src="http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2009/12/mansheets.jpg" alt="mansheets" title="mansheets" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-76525" width="285" height="188" /></p> <p><em><strong>BLIND ITEMS —</strong></em> "We have heard from a friend of this gay male escort that the escort is claiming to be involved in a romantic relationship with this Television and Film actor (whose sexuality remains ambiguous). The escort has been snapped with the star before, and even gone to events with him, but is claiming to have been in a relationship, one that is on and off. Not Chace Crawford."<span id="more-76524"></span> [<a href="http://mybuzzfoto.com/blog/463/463/">BuzzFoto</a>]</p> <p><em>(Note: Accompanying photos do not indicate any relationship to the report.)</em></p> </div> <!-- Outbrain --> <div style="clear: both;"> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-34582202995891024342009-12-27T14:59:00.001+02:002009-12-27T15:01:36.589+02:00What's Your Excuse for Being on Queerty This Christmas?<div class="copy"> <p><img src="http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2009/12/xmasstockings.jpg" alt="xmasstockings" title="xmasstockings" class="alignright size-full wp-image-78440" width="288" height="364" /></p> <p>Hey, you there? What are you doing on the world wide web on such an important religious — or, according to other religions, pagan — holiday? Well so long as you're here, you might as well talk amongst yourselves. Tell <em>Queerty</em>: How are you spending Christmas? Are you with family, friends, partners? Is this Christmas better than last year? What did you get — and give — this holiday season? And most importantly: Were you good or naughty this year? Honest answers only!<span id="more-78439"></span></p> <p>Or instead, you can debate <a href="http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/12/25/is-rudolph-gay/">whether or not Rudolph is a big 'mo</a>.</p> <p>(Photo: Michael Breyette)</p><p>http://www.queerty.com<br /></p> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-30853418894700568992009-10-25T20:57:00.002+02:002009-10-25T21:01:29.763+02:00Ultra Nate - Automatic<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ultra Nate - Automatic</span></span><br />I like this video...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RhVqUMdBnLE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RhVqUMdBnLE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-51675347330227906552009-10-25T12:08:00.004+02:002009-10-25T12:15:12.065+02:00“Eating Out 3” Makes for a Mostly Unsatisfying Meal<div class="byline"> by <div class="username">Brent Hartinger</div><!--close username--><br /><br /></div><!--close byline--> <div class="content"> <p align="center"> <img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/eatout3img0.jpg" border="0" /> </p> <p> A movie franchise is like a shark. For it to stay alive, it has to move forward. It’s a lesson that the <em>Eating Out</em> franchise would do well to learn. </p> <p> I liked 2004’s <em>Eating Out</em> a lot. The campy gay sex farce was downright revolutionary coming after decades of earnest, angsty coming out dramas (and two years before <em>Another Gay Movie</em>). </p> <p> 2006’s <em>Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds</em> wasn’t as successful, but it wasn’t a disaster. </p> <p> But <em>Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat</em>, now playing in limited release, is the weakest entry in the series so far. It’s not that parts of it aren’t funny. It’s just that the movie takes absolutely no chances, choosing instead to change a few details and repeat what came before in the first two movies. </p> <p> Q. Allan Brocka, the creator of Logo’s <em>Rick & Steve the Happiest Gay Couple in all the World</em> and writer and director of <em>Eating Out</em> and the producer of <em>Eating Out 2</em>, doesn’t appear to have been involved at all this time around, and it shows. </p> <p> <span>The movie quickly kills off the main character from the first two movies, Kyle </span>(<em>American Idol</em>’s Jim Verraros)<span>, replacing him with Casey (Daniel Skelton), a wide-eyed gay innocent who takes one look at the slutty things going on during the opening credits and says, “I’m gonna love this town!” </span> </p> <p> <span>Rebekah Kochan is back as the foul-mouthed Tiffani </span>– <span>“the slut with the mouth of shit.”</span> </p> <p> Casey and Rebekah team up and soon meet the sizzling hot Zack (Chris Salvatore), smarting over having just been dumped by his boyfriend, Lionel (<em>The Janice Dickinson’s Modeling</em> <em>Agency</em>’s John Stallings). </p> <p align="center"> <em>John Stallings (center)</em><br /><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/eatout3img4.jpg" border="0" /> </p> <p> Casey thinks Zack is out of his league, but Rebekah talks him into inventing a fake online profile, using photos of her hot ex, Ryan, under the (accurate) assumption that people are often more honest with strangers than they are with people they know. </p> <p> Naturally, Zack falls in love with the non-existent guy who has Casey’s personality but who looks like Ryan. Then the real Ryan turns up back in town and, well, complications ensue.<br /></p><p> It’s a clever premise, and there are some nice moments along the way. <span>Daniel Skelton has a goofy, appealing charm, and Leslie Jordan has a nice cameo where he warns that “having sex with someone else to get over a break-up never works. Never.”</span> </p> <p align="center"> <em>Leslie Jordan (left) and Mink Stole</em><br /><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/eatout3img6.jpg" border="0" /> </p> <p> There’re plenty of funny, and well-deserved, pokes at the gay community, as when a character logs online and is instantly bombarded with dozens of people wanting to “PNP!” Indeed, the film’s satire of the gay community’s online hook-up culture is the best part of the film. </p> <p> And when clueless, self-centered Rebekah doesn’t know what “LGBT” means or how to pronounce “Matthew Shepard,” it’s hard not to laugh. </p> <p> Still, too many jokes fall flat. Rebekah singing “Cum-baya” at a funeral instead of “Kumbaya” (“someone’s horny my Lord, cum-baya…”) was just sort of embarrassing. And the line “Blow job for your thoughts?” probably read funnier on the page. </p> <p> Basically, the film suffers from Bad Gay Film-itis: uneven pacing, sometimes wooden acting even in the lead roles, and waaaaay too much talking. </p> <p> In fact, the movie makes a big mistake by wrapping its “mistaken identity” storyline up too quickly. This results in a long middle section where the characters … talk. </p> <p> And talk and talk and talk. </p> <p> Then after another pivotal plot point, there’s still more talking. Not even two scenes of full-frontal male nudity can make all this talk not seem boring. </p> <p align="center"> <em>Chris Salvatore (left) and Daniel Skelton</em><br /><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/eatout3img2.jpg" border="0" width="450" /> </p> <p> But the biggest problem may be that we’ve seen this movie before, in the first two entries. There’s even one scene where Rebekah tries to get straight-guy Ryan turned on enough to have sex with guys that’s virtually the same as happened in <em>Eating Out</em>. This might have been intended as an homage, but it comes across as a repeat. </p> <p> There is a fresh and funny sex comedy to be made in 2009. This isn’t it. </p> <em>Watch the teaser trailer for </em>Eating Out 3:<br /><br /> </div><div><object width="420" height="339"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xa6qx4"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xa6qx4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="420" height="339"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xa6qx4">Eating Out 3 - The Film HD</a></b><br /><i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/MovieWorlds">MovieWorlds</a></i></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.afterelton.com">http://www.afterelton.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-4142821252939944162009-09-27T19:05:00.001+03:002009-09-27T19:09:15.263+03:00Wes (Partner of Danny Roberts)<p class="MsoNormal"> <em>The Real World: New Orleans’</em> Danny Roberts(who recently topped our Top 15 Favorite Gay Reality Stars poll) first met his partner Wes in college at the University of Georgia. They were both closeted, so their brief affair was hush-hush. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> “Fast forward 10 years and I’m living in New York City and out with friends for my birthday,” Danny tells AfterElton.com. “Guess who approaches me and asks if I remember him? Yep, there’s Wes. My reply was, ‘Of course, you’re the sexy Puerto Rican from college!’ So we started dating casually, but eventually I had to move to Atlanta for a job. The decision was made for Wes to join me so we’ve been living together since. I guess you can call it all fate!” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"> <em>Danny Roberts (left) and partner Wes</em><br /><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/cb3img1.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> The couple has been together – “in some fashion on another,” Danny says – for two years now. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> “We’re both getting used to living in the South,” Danny says. “It’s a real first for Wes and practically new for me after being away for ten years. It’s culture shock at its best! We both have a similar temperament and world-view so it’s a good match. I would say our number one love that we both enjoy more than anything is travel. We soon leave for Central America to see the Mayan ruins, which is a life-long dream of mine.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Are there kids in the couple’s future? “He’s very anxious to start a family,” Danny says, “but I just want a dog! You have to start somewhere, right?” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"> <img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/cb3img2.jpg" border="0" /> </p><a href="http://www.afterelton.com">http://www.afterelton.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-79687361162472913982009-09-05T23:21:00.002+03:002009-09-05T23:31:38.809+03:00Liveblogging "One Life To Live": The mystery of Brian Joseph McElhane<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ywTZnRgc9u_r5BPwKfBoljUwRztZBF-Lb-nWAiYNp3ecQdgoFPObHB84VWYbXKg3H-3KU7ZndrRpzZGn53l93kvzaR7CtMTxRgjYvGi3-27TXLICh2UUL2s0888CR67_oY8uWbUSvQw/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ywTZnRgc9u_r5BPwKfBoljUwRztZBF-Lb-nWAiYNp3ecQdgoFPObHB84VWYbXKg3H-3KU7ZndrRpzZGn53l93kvzaR7CtMTxRgjYvGi3-27TXLICh2UUL2s0888CR67_oY8uWbUSvQw/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378083284766666770" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Okay, what the hell is going on here? <strong>Cristian</strong> and <strong>Layla</strong> are throwing around a book called <em>How To Tell Your Parents You're Gay</em> by <strong>Brian Joseph McElhane</strong> (and it looks to play a part in a sitcom-esque classic "misunderstanding" today).</p> <p>There's just one problem ... <em>Brian Joseph McElhane doesn't exist</em>.</p> <p>If you Google him, the only thing you'll get is Ed's Daytime Drive-by from yesterday. Which means either TPTB on the show used "Random Author Name Generator" ... or something weird is going on. Hmm...</p> <p>Anyway, join us for the fun, as <strong>Oliver</strong> hopefully will come out to <strong>Kyle</strong>, and refresh for updates.</p> <p><strong>2:05PM EST</strong>: <strong>Carlotta</strong> picks up "the book" and reads the title out loud, then slowly looks at Cristian. Cris says "mommy, wait". How cute is it that Cris calls her "mommy". Awww!</p> <p><strong>Cole</strong> is about to be shot in the back of the head by the surfer-dude blond cop. Somehow I think he'll be stopped. <strong>Rachel</strong> has been put on the stand by <strong>That Bitch Tea Delgado</strong>, and is paying the price. She brings up her hooker/drug addict past. Stay classy, Tea.</p> <p><strong>2:10PM EST</strong>: This stuff with Carlotta is cute, even if the whole "gay misunderstanding" schtick is as old as the hills. She tells Cristian that she loves him even though he's gay, and that she accepts it, and that he doesn't have to hide it anymore. She talks about noticing "the signs", and a bemused Layla pitches in with "because of all the time he spends at the gym?", and Carlotta agrees and says "and all the trouble he has with women". Cris is flummoxed, and tries to get Layla to vouch for his heterosexuality.</p> <p><strong>2:20PM EST</strong>: Has <strong>Dorian</strong> always been this shrill-sounding? All I hear is "Kaw! Kaw! Kaw!"</p> <p>The blond surfer-dude cop is shot by <strong>John</strong>, and as a dazed Cole is led out of his cell, Oliver swoops in to check on the fallen cop.</p> <p>Layla reluctantly tells Carlotta that "The Book" is for a friend of theirs, and that Cristian is not gay. There's talk of how accepting Carlotta is even with being a church lady, but the only thing I could think was "that other actress quit over <em>this</em>?</p> <p><strong>2:25PM EST</strong>: Tea has completely destroyed Rachel on the stand, and as Rachel runs out of the courtroom, Nora gets in Tea's face and asks how she could do that. Tea yells "I did it for my client!", at which point <strong>Matthew</strong> points at her and screams "You're fired!" I'm liking this kid more and more.</p> <p align="center"><img src="http://www.afterelton.com/sites/www.afterelton.com/files/images/scott_evans.jpg" /></p> <p><strong>2:40PM EST</strong>: I love that Oliver is focusing on Police Cop business, and he and John head on out together to capture the bad guys. </p> <p>Layla and Cristian laugh off what happened with his mom, and then talk about giving "The Book" to Oliver. Layla commends him for going into a bookstore and buying "The Book" for him, which is something a lot of straight guys might be too uncomfortable to do. Cristian admits that two guys at the bookstore actually slipped him their phone numbers, prompting Layla to call him "gay catnip".</p> <p><strong>2:45PM EST</strong>: Tea drives Nora over the edge, and Nora delivers a hot slap across her face. The judge holds Nora in contempt, and for good measure holds Tea in contempt as well. Ha! </p> <p>Oliver and John approach the mayor's office, and John reminds Oliver that they have to play this by "The Book". So, they're going to tell the mayor's parents that he's gay? I'm confused.</p> <p><strong>2:55PM EST</strong>: Matthew is mad at himself and mad at Tea, but since Tea has been put in a cell with Nora, he should probably be worried about the both of them. </p> <p>Oliver and John bust into the mayor's office with guns blazing, but he's nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, The Russian mobster shows up at <strong>Todd</strong>'s house ready to shut him up ... permanently.</p> <p>And once again, Layla shoots down Cristian's not-too-subtle desire to be with her. Poor Cristian. But hey, he still has those two numbers!</p><p><a href="http://www.afterelton.com/">http://www.afterelton.com</a><br /></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-18229416763389899882009-08-16T20:32:00.002+03:002009-08-16T20:34:41.332+03:00Soap star: 'Coronation Street needs more gay characters'..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmsePEdz2CdG9IqjASiOjMdzIDJxCTmI8lMEo3qHdz3yn7prTtvkL7biqNaxrDq8-_ccLWKpmZJiVSE4TZDMBEusXcmlxzK4Qs2_mW_Pacgb-MqHK2Hp1GrOJ_JKRuoNSzJ1Cl_yk_is/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmsePEdz2CdG9IqjASiOjMdzIDJxCTmI8lMEo3qHdz3yn7prTtvkL7biqNaxrDq8-_ccLWKpmZJiVSE4TZDMBEusXcmlxzK4Qs2_mW_Pacgb-MqHK2Hp1GrOJ_JKRuoNSzJ1Cl_yk_is/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370616154642101170" border="0" /></a><br /><p>A Coronation Street actor has said the soap needs more gay characters.</p> <p>Antony Cotton, who is openly gay, plays the camp Sean Tully in the ITV soap.</p> <p>According to Holy Soap, the former Queer As Folk star said: "The story goes that one in person in ten is gay. We've got 70 people in ours [Coronation Street] so there should be seven gay characters at least.</p> <p>"Especially as Weatherfield is the gayest place on the planet as far as female characters are concerned! It's the campest show on TV at times."</p> <p>On portrayals of gay characters on TV, he said: "The more there are, the more people are not going to seek representation.</p> <p>"You can associate with one type and say that's who I'm similar to, and not that person, but it's not a problem because there are two different portrayals." </p> <p>Stonewall estimates that between six and nine per cent of the population is gay.</p> <p>Coronation Street did not have any gay activity until 2003, despite its massive gay fanbase.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4337299082992295116.post-33162961649409169172009-08-16T20:26:00.002+03:002009-08-16T20:28:57.080+03:00Gay men and lesbians more likely to seek treatment for mental health and substance abuse..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IAmuRIXXcLq53Lo4ur54wTNXjoUU97LGrvLmL6vE0vR7U_VqKtcKD2pqSRQmfJH0496FZYpN-AoFedfVNZ6t06k2nG9XPRhXYuNIb9-AuJNdGP8E-dTAzpvzZ_ssSU6xOZMY9ccg_uo/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IAmuRIXXcLq53Lo4ur54wTNXjoUU97LGrvLmL6vE0vR7U_VqKtcKD2pqSRQmfJH0496FZYpN-AoFedfVNZ6t06k2nG9XPRhXYuNIb9-AuJNdGP8E-dTAzpvzZ_ssSU6xOZMY9ccg_uo/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370614652012249074" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Gay men and lesbians are around twice as likely as their straight counterparts to seek treatment for mental health issues and drug and alcohol abuse, a study has suggested.</p> <p>The research from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), surveyed more than 2,000 California residents.</p> <p>It found that 48.5 per cent of gays, lesbians and bisexuals had accessed treatment in the last year, compared with 22.5 per cent of straight people.</p> <p>Lesbian and bisexual women were the most likely to seek treatment, which researchers said was unsurprising as women use health services more than men.</p> <p>Heterosexual men had the lowest rates of treatment.</p> <p>Researcher Susan Cochran said: "It is well known that health services utilisation is greater among women generally. Here we have shown that minority sexual orientation is also an important consideration. Lesbians and bisexual women appear to be approximately twice as likely as heterosexual women to report having received recent treatment for mental health or substance use disorders."</p> <p>"The pervasive and historically rooted societal pathologising of homosexuality may contribute to this propensity for treatment by construing homosexuality and issues associated with it as mental health problems," she added.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457839587093710753noreply@blogger.com0