I’m so glad we have the likes of Keith Olberman, Jon Stewart and Dan Savage to comment on stories like Bush Jr’s recently self-outed campaign manager, Ken Mehlman’s admission of the obvious fact that the GoP is the party of the scapegoat.
August 26, Mehlman revealed that he is gay. Prior to this revelation, rumors about Mehlman’s sexual orientation had circulated since at least 2004. In May 2006, Mehlman denied that he was gay, telling the New York Daily News, “I’m not gay, but those stories did a number on my dating life for six months.”
On November 8, 2006, comedian Bill Maher made an appearance on CNN’s Larry King Live, during which he referred to Mehlman as a closeted gay man. The incident became controversial because CNN edited out Maher’s comments in later taped editions and removed the reference to Mehlman’s sexual orientation from the transcript of the show. The day after Maher’s comments, Mehlman announced he would step down as chairman of the RNC.
So NOW he comes out in The Atlantic and wants to become “an advocate for gay marriage” in his private life. I’m sorry. Way too little and too damn late.
From one election to the next the party’s leadership has shown a distinct pattern of using sentiment against a party or group to rally supporters to their side. Under Ken Melhman’s watchful eye they did just that by waving the gay marriage issue like a red flag to the easily baitable bull that is the religious right. While they’ve backed off the gays a bit, it’s only to put pressure on illegal immigrants and Muslims. It is such a shame that the American populace is so easily led by such an obvious and heinous tactic.
I think the gay GoPers who tow the evil line are worse than the assholes who stand in front preaching to the bigots fanning the flames. These are educated people who should know better but somehow manage to delude themselves into believing that it’s OK to engender persecution and hatred of their own peers in order to win an election. Either they do so by so convincing themselves (and therefore their co-workers and constituents) that they aren’t one of us (as Melman seems to have done) or they simply have no soul and care not that they work against the cause. Whichever excuse he leans towards, Ken Mehlman should be ashamed of himself.
I like it. Its sweet and totally speaks to the part of me that grew up on Schoolhouse Rock. Music is a very effective tool for communicating a message to the masses. And not only is this video political, adorable and catchy, but it is also true. Why else would the state be in such a hurry to keep Perry vs. Schwarzenegger (the landmark civil rights/marriage equality case against Proposition 8 currently underway) from being forever immortalized on YouTube? They don’t want the world AND history to see California as ignorant. But its too late in the information age to keep that sort of thing from happening.
A new cover mashup music video (the music “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis with the lyrics from “Finally” by Ce Ce Peniston) about marriage equality directed by Adam Joseph and Josh Kesner. Starring Lars Stephan, Stuart Perkins and Erickatoure Aviance. The handsome grooms are very sweet together and their drag bridesmaid was a nice touch. Music is a wonderful way to share the message.
I do so love the YouTube generation. Its videos like these and the ones that follow that will end up going a long way towards making gay marriage a reality everywhere. Current and future generations are growing up with the message that its OK to be Gay. We just want to love. I have hope. Now we just have to wait and see how Perry vs. Schwarzenegger turns out.
Like there is any other kind! All kidding aside, The Big Gay Musical is the story of Paul and Eddie, whose characters in the new Off-Broadway musical “Adam and Steve Just the Way God Made ‘Em” strangely mirror their own lives.
Paul is engaged in the never ending hunt for the perfect man and Eddie is attempting to reconcile his sexuality and his faith.
After yet another disastrous dating experience, Paul has an epiphany. He is done dating and just wants to be a slut like the sexy chorus boys that share his dressing room. Eddie has to tell his parents that he’s gay and is starring in a show that calls the bible the “Breeder’s Informational Book of Living Examples”. Eddie comes out to his family and Paul goes on Manhunt. Eddie’s parents are destroyed by the news and Paul can’t even have a good one-night stand. But after musical numbers with scantly clad tap dancing angels, a retelling of Genesis, tele-evangelists, a camp that attempts to turn gay kids straight, and a bunch of showtunes, everyone realizes that life gets better once they accept who they really are. And they are just the way God made ‘em.
Gay TV – The history of Homosexuality from “This is Going to Sound a Bit Gay” Hosted by Graeme Smith on Current TV – Starts Thursday July 2nd 2009 at 10pm on Sky 183 and Virgin 155 in the UK.
A look at modern gay and lesbian identity and exploring what it’s like being gay in 2009. From the experience of coming out, to how the gay community as we know it came to be, all the way through to whether or not there is a shared sense of gay identity. Along the way Graeme Smith will be taking the audience on a journey through the issues based on his own experiences and life.
Happy Gay Pride everyone!!! Its a big weekend in San Francisco with the Dyke March today (Saturday) and the Annual San Francisco Pride Parade on Sunday. After each event, I’ll be in the Castro getting my Pride on while taking advantage of my TRIGGER Black Card.
Why is it that the anti-gay bigots and their evil minions that comprise the anti marriage equality forces ALWAYS go to the incest and bestiality argument? REALLY! SERIOUSLY? Is that really all theses nutjobs have got?
I mean unless they are talking about extremely attractive gay twins, the incest thing isn’t very likely. I wish we could ACTUALLY compare the numbers of gay couples who want to get married to the number of wackjob rednecks who want to wed their favorite sheep or cousin to make them cut this bullshit the hell out.
The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) is a skillful and emotionally compelling Oscar-winning documentary film from filmmakers Rob Epstein and Richard Schmiechen charting the political rise and brutal slaying of the first openly gay city official in the United States. It was at the top of my YouTube page when I logged in and thought it worth sharing…
Articulate and heartfelt interviews with people whose life he touched, extensive newsreel coverage, and personal film shot at certain events paint a clear picture of the political and social landscape in which these events took place and express the amazing impact that Milk had upon this historical moment.
I love the fact that we live in the YouTube generation. Not only are messages like this are so easy to share, but also it is reaffirming to know that there are others out there who are capable of seeing the world through the eyes of others.
All the hate (anti-LGBT hate speech in particular) on the internet inspired YouTuber Stevie Bee Bishop to organize this video featuring 23 YouTubers lip-syncing to Lily Allen’s song GWB (Fuck You Very Much).
Unsurprisingly, the elected asshole left ignorance, hatred and bigotry off the list of forces affecting peoples decision making on this issue. During a press conference Wednesday, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced that he will veto the marriage equality bill even if makes it all the way through the state legislature (it passed the state senate and it’s currently in the House) to his desk.
Vermont Freedom to Marry is calling for a rally tomorrow morning at the Vermont statehouse beginning at 8:45 am. They write: “We need to thank the Legislators for their leadership and to URGE Gov. Douglas to change his mind. The Governor has a Legislative Open Door from 9am-9:30am.”
Douglas’ phone information is Ph:802 828-3333 (toll-free in VT only: 800 649-6825). For a list of Vermont House Judiciary Committee members, go to Vermont Freedom to Marry.
I’ve seen this show a few times. The show usually depicts interesting yet disturbing scenarios where you really hope the people there do the right thing yet they often let you and the victims whose pain they witness. The reactions of this random crowd in a New Jersey sports bar to a real-life gay couple (also actors paid to be themselves in a potentially unpleasant setting) made me tear up a bit. Check this out…
Happy tears! Thanks to each and every person out there who can understand AND empathize DESPITE not actually being gay. God bless you all! (tell all your coolest straight friends we love them in a totally non threatening platonic way -and if you don’t have any – make some – they exist – HONEST)
I am so proud that the new generation of gay youth is outspoken and unafraid to confront authority. I cannot imagine the courage it takes to stand up and do what he did at that age.
In Mid-March, during hearings prior to Monday’s Vermont Senate vote which passed the same-sex marriage bill 26-4, 17-year-old James Neiley from Charlotte, Vermont, told it like it is. You Go James!
Personally I am a BIG fan of sarcasm. Sad thing is the people being made fun of probably aren’t smart enough to get the joke (but are they watching Jimmy Kimmel anyweay – well maybe, his is not an audience of rocket scientists). Or does that just make it funnier?
Sean Penn gave an eloquent Best Actor acceptance speech calling for equal rights for everyone and telling those who supported Prop 8 to reflect and anticipate their great same and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes.
Milk Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black also gave a beautiful speech that has left me verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.
Both gracious winners offered additional comment to reporters in the press room after accepting their awards.
And I’ve posted this before… but I LOVE it so deal.
If you blog, PLEASE repost the phone numbers below!!!!!
The ever vigilant bigots at the homophobic hate mongering American Family Association had already announced an anti-gay a boycott of Pepsi for its support of LGBT causes but the recent UK airing of this commercial has them stepping it up a notch.
REALLY? Are we THAT threatening to the fabric of society? Is it THAT horrible if occasionally we get to see ourselves included if not fully represented in a television commercial? REALLY?!!
The AFA was kind enough to provide a number for Pepsi Customer Relations in order for outraged bible-bangers to call and lodge their bigoted “christian” judgment. But I used it to call and lodge my support AGAINST the AFA boycott and to thank them and ask them to keep up the good work. The customer relations person was SOOOO glad to hear from me. Please call and do the same and then tell a friend and have them tell 2 friends – and so on, and so on.
PLEASE CALL PEPSI TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT: 1-800-433-2652
YOU CAN ALSO CALL AND THANK PEPSI SUBSIDIARIES… (AFA targeted them for harassing phone calls too so give em a break and call to say thanks)
the AFA’s letter to Pepsi and Pepsi’s response… (I believe this is before the ad aired)
AFA Letter to PepsiCo Chairman Indra K. Nooyi from Donald E. Wildmon (October 14, 2008):
Recently we noticed that PepsiCo gave a $500,000 donation to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. We were indeed surprised by PepsiCo’s support of the homosexual group. It would appear to us that PepsiCo would not involve itself in a political and culture war, especially supporting an organization seeking to redefine marriage and family.
We ask PepsiCo to remain neutral in this culture war, neither supporting nor opposing the homosexual agenda.
We would like to discuss this matter with PepsiCo. Would you have a representative of PepsiCo contact us?
Response from Paul Boykas, director, public policy to Donald E. Wildmon (November 18, 2008):
I’m responding to your letter to our Chairman. In 2008, the PepsiCo Foundation awarded a grant to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays to support a national program specifically designed for workplace environments.
The initiative seeks to promote further understanding and equality in the places where people spend much of their time at work.
Among the values promoted by the PepsiCo Foundation is ensuring a work environment that is respectful and where associates are valued for their contributions. I hope this helps clarify this grant by the PepsiCo Foundation.
Melissa Etheridge I love you! Her she is on the View explaining the need for marriage equality In small words that even conservative kool-aid drinkers like Elizabeth Hasselback and Sherri Shepard can understand. Sherri seemed REALLY uncomfortable when Melissa asked Elizabeth to confirm that she meant “the majority should vote on the minority” when she said the decision should come from the people and not “activist judges.” Maybe Sherri isn’t as stupid as I thought. She and Elizabeth were in a corner so she changed the subject, though not particularly deftly. Though I’m not sure Hasselback was smart enough to be glad for the save.
Interesting attempt to illustrate the gay struggle to the type of straight who “just doesn’t get it.” Sort of plays like a very special political episode of the comedy series Gaytown which is viewable on hulu.
Did you go to work on Wednesday? I work at home so I didn’t get to change my routine that much. I did enough work that they thought I was working (they’ve always been very gay-positive and supportive), but I took it easy – as evidenced by all the posts lately.
I loved Wanda Sykes before, but she’s really moving up in my esteem with every public appearance lately. Go Wanda!
A Soulforce marriage equality video for the song Don’t Tell Me Who To Love (by recently out former contemporary Christian artist, Ray Boltz) – featuring couples, families, and images of protest signs around the country in response to Proposition 8.
The Marriage Equality songs, videos, articles and advertisements always get to me. It uplifts me that so many are doing so much to get the word out, yet it depresses me that it is still necessary in today’s society – much less in today’s California!
The song by Ray Boltz is available for free download at rayboltzblog. Please share the song with your family and friends and go to soulforce.org and join our email list!
Thanks to each and every person out there who can understand AND empathize DESPITE not actually being gay. God bless you all! (tell all your coolest straight friends we love them in a totally non threatening platonic way -and if you don’t have any – make some – they exist – HONEST)
