OutLoudBlogs - LGBT Blogs Posts

Former Russian Billionaire German Sterligov Says All Gays and Lesbians Should Die

Lyndon Evans — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:43:09 +0000

As unbelievable as this may sound GayRussia/UK Gay News reports that the former billionaire said gays and lesbians should die during a radio interview. During the radio show, the host of Cultural Shock, Ksenia Larina, asked Mr. Sterligov: “I want to understand, German, what what you want to do … what to do not only with atheists but also with gays and lesbians?” Mr. Sterligov responded: “As it is written by the Apostle Paul, Let it be their blood upon their heads. Other guests on the programme chipped in. One asked: “This is what is written about gays and lesbians?” “Yes, replied Mr. Sterligov. “This is what is written about the homosexuals.” Another guest wanted clarification. “That means to kill?” “Yes, for sure,” Mr. Sterligov confirmed. Before this exchange, Mr. Sterligov said that he would never hire any gay man or woman to work for him. “No, well … homosexuals would not be given a job under any circumstance … never.” “And if there is ever a law in the state requiring me to employ homosexuals, I would immediately disobey it.” Mr Sterligov further explained his position about the laws: “I believe in God and for me the laws of God are above the laws of man. Where they coincide, I admit them. Where they are contrary to the law of God, I spit on them.”

Happy 64th Birthday To David Mixner .. Like A Bottle Of Scotch You Get Better With Age

Lyndon Evans — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:04:25 +0000

As a child, I thought it was so fun to go to birthday parties. Living in a rural area where families had to work hard, there were not a whole lot of birthday parties. When they happened there were balloons, candy, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey and homemade cake. Did I say homemade cake? God, those home-cooked cakes by the women on the farm were heaven-sent! Such events always seemed to be filled with color, fun and joy. As I got older there were those wonderful milestone birthdays such as the first time you can drive, drink, vote and -gasp- turn thirty. Have some fond memories of being in Colorado and having a Rock & Roll party of 1950's and 1960's songs for my 25th. That evening was highlighted by much booze, horrible intimations of Elvis by my buddies and wobbily line dancing. Chubby Checker's "The Twist" was being played and danced at that illustrious event. Without a question my best birthdays were my 50th which my dear friends Terry Bean, Fred Hochberg and Chuck Holmes put on a huge party for me out on Fire Island. My 60th was spent with eleven friends at Mala Mala in South Africa. The staff at the site organized a birthday breakfast for me out in the wilderness. That night ten African women dressed in red came dancing into the outdoor dinner in my honor with a huge cake with candles on their heads. Wow! Hard to beat that! AIDS taught me to really value birthdays. God knows we had enough funerals. How wonderful it is to celebrate the day that special people are brought into our lives. Although I feel strongly that every day has value, those special days should be celebrated in special ways. Read David's full posting at Live From Hell's Kitchen and have a toast to one of our finest gentlemen.

The Black vs Gay Comparison

omgitsrfb — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:58:22 +0000

Denial of basic civil rights, whether it's based on race or orientation, is discrimination. By its very definition, discrimination doesn't lend itself to relative terms, something is either discriminatory in its distinction of a group or its not. However one of the comparisons I hear quite often is relating the struggle for black civil rights to the gay marriage debate. [caption id="attachment_223" align="alignright" width="372" caption="Doh, it\'s two guys!"][/caption]While they may seem similar in certain aspects I believe there are some major differences between the two. My analysis is hardly breaking any ground, but ask yourself this question: If you had to be either gay or black, what would you choose? I know I would choose gay and that's probably because I'm a gay white man. In my life I've seen much more overt discrimination towards blacks than I have towards my own community, and I fear that had I been at a socio-economic disadvantage, as are many young blacks, I may have not been as fortunate to have the things I have in my life. Gay marriage is an important issue and the current course of things seems positive, but I think it's not only a stretch to attach our fight for civil rights to the coattails of another movement, but also it muddies the water -- that wasn't a racist joke. What would you choose?

Chris Riggi Photo Gallery

afterperez — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:20:12 +0000

Click on the photo below for an expanded view

[gallery columns="4"]

Chris Riggi and Taylor Lautner's Ab Off

afterperez — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:18:39 +0000

Gossip Girl hottie Chris Riggi will star as Jacob Black in the Twilight parody Vampires Suck due out August 18. The 24-year-old actor defers to Lautner's midsection in an interview with HollywoodLife.com saying, “His abs are amazing and way better than mine.” Shiiiiiitttttt....Team Riggi for me! [caption id="attachment_1044" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Chris Riggi or Taylor Lautner?"][/caption] Check out the Chris Riggi Photo Gallery.

Sirius/XM's OutQ Says I'm Technologically Challenged .... WTF !!!!!

Lyndon Evans — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:40:16 +0000

A couple of weeks ago thanks to a "lead" from a blogging friend of mine I applied for a news producer/anchor job at Sirius/XM's OutQ channel produced for and marketed to the LGBT community. Without haste I filled out and sent the application via the Internet on a Sunday and the following Tuesday got not one but two phone calls at my house from the news director of OutQ Tim Curran. My Dad told Mr. Curran I was at work (actually I was still sleeping after working the second shift at my current unexciting job). Within a short time Mr. Curran called a second time and asked my Dad for my work phone number which of course my Dad did not give him, not because I was sleeping but because getting calls at work is a taboo. He had also sent an email for me to call him "at my earliest convenience". So once I got up and woke up I called Mr. Curran and had a good "interview" chat over the phone and was told I would be getting a "written test" and also instructions regarding doing a demo. I explained I haven't had the need to do audio editing for my work in blogging and also explained that everything I have learned I have "taught myself" when it concerns Computer 101. A little background required here and I'll keep it short. When I was downsized at CBS Radio back now four years I finally bought myself a computer as I didn't want to "lose" the computer skills I had learned at CBS and one thing led to another as I found learning how to blog was an excellent way to learn Computer 101. But with my blogging I haven't had the need to use audio other than what can be used via an "html". So Mr. Curran told me about Audacity, which I found and managed to download and recorded what certainly wasn't the best demo I've ever recorded because of the cheap mic which I purchased frankly because I couldn't afford anything else, thus P's popped and some S's hissed. But in all it gave a basic idea of my "pipes" plus I sent along a link to one of the shows I've done with James Hipps on the BlogTalkRadio show The Gay Agenda which sound better because I speak via phone thus the P's and S's are less noticeable. What was lacking was being able to insert the audio bites which was sent to me because trying to follow the cockamamie instructions at Audacity for editing two tracks failed me.

And in full disclosure, I had a problem emailing the "test script" (which is nothing more than taking news and rewriting it into a 30 to 60 second news story) and the audio file. Well I finally figured out and again by teaching myself, I had to convert the "demo" from a WAVE format to an MP3 and finally the two items, although separately, were sent in on time per instructions from Sirius/XM HR. Having been in management myself and knowing how annoying it can be to keep getting phone calls about a job, I waited a good week plus and in the wee hours of Thursday morning while I was blogging I sent Mr. Curran the following so he would have it for later in the day when he came into work. Any decision yet or am I out of the running because of the "demo" ? To which I got the following reply waiting for me when I got in from work this early morning. Yes, you are out of the running. It was mainly because the technology aspect seemed to defeat you. Basic digital audio editing is the rock-bottom minimum level of skill required for the position. In fact, the job is much, much, much more technologically challenging than that, and it seems that from your current skill level, the learning curve would be measured in months instead of the days that we need. You’ll hear ‘officially’ from Sirius HR in a few weeks. Good luck with your endeavors. And there you have it boys and girls, I'm out of the running not because I'm an Associated Press award winning journalist and former radio producer/anchor, not because I have been publishing blogs for the LGBT community now on three years and in some small way have become a champion for the community nor because of my "pipes" popping like farts in the wind and hissing like a snake in heat. No it's because I'm technically challenged and in Mr. Curran's view it would take "months" for me to learn the technologically challenging aspects of the job. Just how does someone become aware of ones "learning curve" by the mere fact that I couldn't understand the cockamamie instructions thus not being able to do what I would have liked to have done (sans a good mic) and send a complete and full demo. Now I could have cheated by contacting one of my former co-workers at CBS and sent both "audio tracks" for him to cleanup and edit together but cheating is not my style nor nature. You see kids I learn (and always have) by someone showing me how to do things and I pick things up quickly, after all I had to learn a whole new way of dealing with commercial placement at CBS Radio than what I did twenty odd years before when working in radio my first time. Computer vs paper, pencil and electric typewriter. That didn't take months, not even weeks, but days. Ergo given the opportunity I'm confident although apparently Mr. Curran isn't that I could easliy pick up and learn the required tools. After all sound editing is nothing new to me, just the tools, today digital editing with a computer rather electronic editing with reel-to-reel tape recorders from years back. But sound is sound, bites are bites and time limits are time limits. That hasn't changed. And that's the shame of this my friends, "being out of the running" because of a "perceived" lack of my understanding digital audio editing or because, perhaps and of course I have no proof, maybe because of my age which will be 57 next month. I just guess Mr. Curran never heard of the old adage, "you can teach an old dog new tricks". In any case it is OutQ's loss. They would have gained a loyal employee who would be able to serve the LGBT community in yet one more way and who knows may have provided OutQ with award winning stories or features. But I guess they'll never know, pity. But as I have learned over these past four years of being downsized from the best job I ever had and losing my best friend of 40 odd years just a month apart, life goes on and you try to find some humor in the little curves life throws at you. Wherein I present in the video below The Little Rascals and The International Silver String Submarine Band. I well know how the audio engineer in the sound booth feels. There are days I just want to take a hammer to this thing we call a computer. I wonder if Rachel Maddow or Anderson Cooper are looking for news writers or producers.

Capt. Jonathan Hopkins Newest Victim Of DADT .. Lt. Col. Fehrenbach Sues Over Discharge

Lyndon Evans — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:44:52 +0000

Yet another example of losing our best and proud serving members of the military to DADT. President Obama are you watching ?

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And according to an article in Wednesday's New York Times, Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach is suing to block his discharge under DADT. In early 2008, just eight days before he was to deploy in support of the war in Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, a decorated Air Force flight officer, was told he was under investigation on charges of sexually assaulting a civilian and of violating the military’s ban on homosexuality. He was placed on desk duty at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Within three weeks, the sexual assault allegation was dismissed for lack of evidence. But the Air Force investigation into his sexuality continued. Now, just a year from completing his 20th year in the military, Colonel Fehrenbach, 40, believes he is about to be discharged under the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” He would be among the highest-ranking service members discharged under the policy. On Wednesday, Colonel Fehrenbach’s lawyers filed papers in Idaho federal court requesting a temporary order blocking his discharge. The petition contends that a discharge would violate Colonel Fehrenbach’s rights, cause him irreparable harm and fail to meet standards established in a 2008 federal court ruling on don’t ask, don’t tell.

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Josh Kloss Photo Gallery

afterperez — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:52:08 +0000

Click on any image for a larger size.

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Music and Emotions

JarredH — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:34:40 +0000

The other day, I was listening to the radio while driving, and "Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith came on. I absolutely love that song and want to include it here. So thanks to YouTube, enjoy a nice rendition with lyrics, no less: I actually have an emotional history associated with this song. The song was quite popular on the radio back in 1998, thanks to Armageddon. At the time, I was also involved with a young man name Zech. It was actually my first relationship, providing you don't count the friend I experimented with in high school. The song meant a lot to me back then. Every time I heard it, I thought of Zech. The other day when I heard the same song, it made me think of another guy. I'll call this guy D (until he tells me he's ready for me to talk about him by name. D and I have been talking, hanging out, and otherwise enjoying each other's company. We're not actually dating, though I hope that changes some day in the not-too-distant future. What I find interesting is that while similar, the reaction the song evokes in me regarding D now and the reaction I had back when I was involved with Zech. In both cases, the theme of the song -- the desire to be with that special someone as much as possible -- resonated deeply with me. However, the emotional undercurrents are worlds apart. As I mentioned, Zech was my first boyfriend (though come to think of it, we never officially dated). We were both young and immature, and I was only recently out (I had only finally accepted my sexuality two years earlier). This meant that I was going through a lot of emotional turmoil, and tended to cling to Zech in a sense of desperation. And that desperation came through back then as I'd listen to the song. I didn't want to miss a thing, because I was terrified that things would end. Part of me wanted to squeeze as much out of the relationship before the horrible ending came, and part of me foolishly believed that simply by being ever-present, ever-vigilant, and ever-suffocating, I could actually prevent the horrible ending from coming. I've grown up a great deal in the intervening twelve years, and I now listen to that song again with a new guy in mind. And once again, I find myself nodding along with the song. But rather than a nagging sense of desperation, my heart is filled with a sense of peace and contentment. The funny thing is, there area few parallels. There's no guarantee that things will work out between D and I. (Is there ever really any such guarantee?) I don't know how long I have with him or even if we'll ever become a couple like I'm hoping for. I think it's likely though. But in the end, it doesn't matter. I have this time now, and I want to make the most of it. Not out of fear or desperation, but out of hope and joy. People often talk about how music can evoke powerful emotions and we can associate specific memories and feelings with a song. However, I sometimes think that people forget that new connections and associations can be made with old songs that replace or overpower the old ones. I know from personal experience that this is true, because I enjoy "Don't Want to Miss a Thing" far more today than I did back in 1998. In fact, I think I'm going to go listen to it again.

Teenage and Gay Man's Dream

afterperez — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:54:00 +0000

[caption id="attachment_778" align="alignright" width="400" caption="She's looking at his dick"][/caption]

Josh Kloss kisses Katy Perry in her latest music video for Teenage Dream and, unfortunately, it looks like he liked it.

So who's this Josh Kloss hottie? Well besides a few episodes of the OC he hasn't done much of anything, well unless you count working out as doing something.

Catch a sneaky peek of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" Check out After Perez's Josh Kloss Photo Gallery

"I'm Mad As Hell And I'm Not Going To Take Anymore" Gay Man Shoves It To JetBlue

Lyndon Evans — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:49:05 +0000

When I was driving home from work Monday night into Tuesday morning I heard a story on WCBS-AM in NYC about a flight attendant who went off and my reaction was "must be a drama queen and gay". Well I was right. JetBlue steward, uh make that former, Steven Slater tendered his resignation over the plane's PA system after earlier being conked on the head by some low-life woman who hit him when she pulled her bag out of the overhead. Did she apologize, oh no, instead she went into a verbal assault and tirade that would turn a Navy man red. Well as Popeye says, "eyes stands all eyes can stands, eyes can't stands no more", Slater had had it, gave his colorful bon voyage to the passengers and JetBlue, grabbed a couple of beers, opened an emergency exit (the plane was already been parked at the gate) which of course in turn open the evac chute and Slater along with his bags and brewskies departed the only way a proud gay man would in such a situation. With style ! Hey, no body got hurt (other than Slater thanks to the inconsiderate bovinen blowfish) nor was anyone in harms way. Later in the day Monday, de po-lece arrived at Slater's oceanfront home in the Rockaways and as the salacious NY Daily News tells it was "found by police in bed with his boyfriend". Well shit what better way to celebrate leaving your job than a little boo-de-aye time in the sack ... works for me. Off to the pokey Slater goes and today he made a court appearance where his bail was set at $2500. I think HRC and all those other orgs should pony up the bail money myself. Slater's mom who is battling cancer said of her son, "I think he just had a very small meltdown, and I think he deserved to be able to have that meltdown, if you saw the egg on his head here where he got smacked." Uh, Mom, the term "very small" is relative to those who see things. In any case, meltdown it was and who can blame the guy, his mom has cancer, his dad passed away not long ago from Lou Gehrig's disease, then throw into the mix whatever else may being going on in his life and throw in the final cou de gras with the bovinen blowfish and bingo .... "take this job and shove it !!!" So move to the back of the bus Dan Choi, Pam Spaulding, David Mixner, et al .... we have us a new hero .. Steven Slater. God Bless America, the Rainbow Flag and Steven Slater !

Invite your friends

OutLoudBlogs Admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:47:42 +0000

LGBT friends don't LGBT friends blog on Blogger, Typepad, or Tumblr.

So we've made it easy for you to invite your friends to check out OutLoudBlogs.com. Although it's crucial, being a good friend requires more than keeping a friend's hair out of the toilet while they're vomiting. Being a good friend means you're selfless, willing to share with your friends all of the good things you've discovered in life, like OutLoudBlogs.com! Invite Your Friends

From your blog's dashboard Go To Users -> Invites.

In the Email Addresses box enter as many emails as you'd like, separating them with a comma.

There's a standard message that's included with the email, but if you'd like to add a special message like: "Check this out you sketchy ho", then type it into the Special Message area.
Click Send Invites

Oh snap, that's easy!

Roll Smoke F*ck!!

shaneinthecity — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:54:25 +0000

Well if you haven’t heard of the book surely you have seen the movie trailers for the national best seller Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Ms. Gilbert’s was the All American woman. She was had a successful career, what seemed to be a happy marriage and many of life’s luxuries. However one day in her 30’s she realized in fact she wasn’t happy and began a yearlong spiritual journey that led her from Italy to India and finally Bali. As I rush to finish the book before the movie opens next weekend I find myself wondering what this journey would be like had a gay man embarked on it………… That is when I thought of Roll Smoke F*ck! Yes in the stereotypical fashion of QUEER TIMES this is what I believe the book would be called. As I think of the many mo’s that set out to “find” themselves ONLY to find sex drugs and rock-n-roll. My book would not be centered around spiritual fulfillment, but Sexual instead. The innocent one “bump” that leads to dropping E, smoking crack, and countless TRICKS along the way – that my friend can be a very “spiritual” journey. I can’t count the times I found myself screaming “oh god” when I was on my “ride” – (pun intended). Ms Gilbert speaks of food like I have spoken of MEN-in great detail. It is as if you can taste the pizza and pasta in her words, just like I do when I get my morning Starbucks – large, black, no sugar here!! Now don’t get me wrong, I love the book so far and I truly believe in her message. Seems like many people fall prey to what society deems as happiness-The trophy spouse, the big house, and the luxury imports in the garage – all nice but a happiness indicator…not so much. She doesn’t pretend to have or make up the answers, her book only illustrates one person’s journey. The message I believe is truly know oneself. What many people like or enjoy when they are 25 will not be the same they are 35 or 45. We must all continue to grow, but more importantly we must always look inward for our happiness. We need to ensure that society is not setting the Gold Standard for contentment. We need to love ourselves first and then and only then, can we truly love others. So if you haven’t read the book, pick it up soon. But if you want a little guilty pleasure, think of your very own Roll Smoke F*ck…..I know I have many times!! Until next time, this is shaneinthecity.

The Standard Old Cliches About Lesbians Are Ever So Slowly Coming To An End

Lyndon Evans — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:39:23 +0000

Kim Brittingham has written a great piece at Salon about the changing "face" and attitude of what it means to be a lesbian.

"Most of them are homely looking, and usually overweight," my mother explained. "That's because when men don't find a woman attractive, she'll sometimes pair up with another woman instead. One ugly woman will easily accept another ugly woman. I guess they figure it's easier than being alone." My mother was teaching me about lesbianism. "And in every relationship between two women, there's always a man and a woman," she added. "I don't understand ..." She took a quick puff on her cigarette. "There are roles," she clarified. "One woman in the couple is more like the man than the other. She'll dress like a man, do things around the house that a husband would normally do. Like taking out the trash, fixing things, stuff like that. They live together like they're married. But obviously, they're not." I don't remember what prompted the 12-year-old me to ask my mother about gay women right there in the middle of our suburban kitchen, in a cloud of her menthol tobacco smoke and the dust particles from a million decorative paper towels. I suppose I'd heard something on a sitcom. I know there was at least one episode of "The Facts of Life" in which Blair accused a girl of being a lesbian because she excelled at sports. Read more at the link above. Yes you've come a long way baby.

How Does Same-Sex Marriage Directly Affect Your Marriage ? The Question Never Answered

Lyndon Evans — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 06:39:38 +0000

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. It says all, not some, not the chosen few but all. So I ask the question starting with President Barack Obama right down to the scum at the bottom of the barrel who oppose same-sex marriage. How does same-sex marriage affect your marriage ? The answer is it doesn't.

Public bathrooms and why I hate them so much...

Cass Thiessen — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:14:42 +0000

I'm a fairly masculine girl and when I was a kid I was always mistaken for a boy, even now from time to time I will be mistaken for a boy. When I was a kid like 5 or 6 it didnt really matter if people thought I was a boy and in the womens washroom because I was always with my mom. Now that I'm older I often get comments or odd looks. Usually I just ignore it and move on but I can't help but feeling uncomfortable because I don't look stereotypically female. Today I was in the washroom and there was a lineup. I hate when theres lineups because it gives people more time to wonder and stare. Finally a stall opens up and I quickly dash for it but as I'm shutting the door I here a someone say theres a boy in here I thought this was the girls bathroom. Its people like that that think I'm deaf and say stupid crap that bother me and make me inseccure about all this. I catch people walking in then walking out to check if they're in the right washroom or just pretend I'm not there but seriously just because I don't have long hair, wear dresses and high heels doesn't mean I'm a boy, it just means I'm being myself. I hate the hassle and insecurity of it all and I wish that it just didn't matter. - Cass

Justin Timberlake Gays It Up For The Cleveland Show

afterperez — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:03:31 +0000

The latest edition of Us Weekly reports 29-year-old Justin Timberlake will voice a gay character in an upcoming episode of Fox's cartoon comedy The Cleveland Show. Justin's character will become the object of affection for Terry, voiced by Jason Sudekis. Timberlake, who recently turned down American Idol to focus on his acting also has a role in the Facebook movie out this fall. The Cleveland Show airs Sundays on Fox; Timberlake's episode will air sometime in February. Click here for Justin Timberlake's shirtless photo gallery.

Domain Mapping

OutLoudBlogs Admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:19:40 +0000

Having an OutLoudBlogs.com address tells the world you're a smart person, but there may come a time when you want your own domain name, like myowndomain.com. It's easy cheesy for our Pro and Premium bloggers to map a domain that you already own to OutLoudBlogs.com.

Create an A Record at your registrar that points your domain to our IP address 72.44.81.123.

If you’re not sure how to create an A Record, ask your registrar and they should be able to help you. If they can't help you contact us and we'll try to help you.

NOTE: When A Records are edited, it can take some time for the change to fully take effect across the internet (up to 24 hours, but normally much less).

Go to Dashboard -> Tools -> Domain mapping in your blog’s dashboard.

Enter your registered domain name into the form at the top of the page.

Click the Add button to the far right to save your changes.

If the A Records have propagated correctly throughout the internet you should now be able to type your domain name into your browser and see your OutLoudBlogs.com blog! Neato sweeto, eh?

Cazwell's "Ice Cream Truck" Video

afterperez — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:01:02 +0000

Cazwell shut the f' up so I can watch all of the hotties on your video without feeling like a total fairy. You really gotta see the guy's tongue licking on the frozen pop stick at about the 1:05 mark.

Warning:

If you're at work or someplace where people think you're all butch and shit, you better mute this video. Coming soon to a circuit party near you:

Scott Herman Photo Gallery

afterperez — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:34:20 +0000

Click any image for a larger view.

[gallery]

Prop 8 Overturned By Federal Judge … One Step Closer To The Supreme Court

Lyndon Evans — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:30:14 +0000

The ruling is in, the celebrations are underway and both sides have been quoted whether win or lose. Here's a recap of the "Day of Decision". US District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker determined, after lengthy deliberation, that a California ballot initiative banning same sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution because it denies equal rights to gays and lesbians. The voter-approved ban, known as Proposition 8, outlawed same sex marriage in California five months after the state Supreme Court made it legal. Proposition 8 passed in November of 2008 with 52 percent of the vote. Walker presided over a two-and-a-half week trial in January on the constitutionality of Proposition 8. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued the ban is not constitutional because it creates two classes of people: One that can get married and another that cannot. In his ruling some of the more poignant points Walker wrote were, “Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians,” Walker wrote. “The evidence shows conclusively that Proposition 8 enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples” and violates constitutional protections because it “disadvantages gays and lesbians without any rational justification.”

CBS News Chief Legal Correspondent Jan Crawford wrote in her piece at CBS News, there are 80 different findings of fact, including that "same-sex love and intimacy are well-documented in human history" and that "same-sex couples are identical to opposite-sex couples and that religious beliefs that homosexual relationships are sinful harm gays and lesbians."

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

President Obama who does not support the idea of same-sex marriage said when, asked for White House reaction to Wednesday's ruling, spokesman Ben Labolt pointed out that President Barack Obama has publicly opposed the same-sex marriage ban "because it is divisive and discriminatory." Nevertheless, Obama has also publicly opposed same-sex marriage, and a White House aide said the president's position has not changed. "He supports civil unions, doesn't personally support gay marriage though he supports repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, and has opposed divisive and discriminatory initiatives like Prop. 8 in other states," said the official, who asked not to be named. (source - Politico)

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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement, "Judge Walker had the great responsibility of deciding whether Proposition 8 violates the Constitution of the United States. He heard in-depth arguments from both sides on fundamental questions of due process, equal protection and freedom from discrimination. There are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and I am glad that all viewpoints were respected throughout the proceedings. We should also recognize that there will continue to be different points of view in the wake of this decision. "For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for all Californians to consider our history of leading the way to the future, and our growing reputation of treating all people and their relationships with equal respect and dignity." From the Equal Rights Foundation press release , "We came to court to seek for Kris, Sandy, Paul and Jeff the same right to marry that all other Americans enjoy, and to ensure that they receive equal protection under the law as guaranteed to every American by the Constitution. Through its decision today, the court has acted in the best traditions of a legal system established to uphold the Constitution and the principles of equality upon which this nation was founded," said attorney Theodore B. Olson. "On no less than 14 occasions, the Supreme Court has held that marriage is a fundamental right. This decision recognizes that Proposition 8 denied the plaintiffs, and tens-of-thousands of other Californians, that fundamental constitutional right and treated them unequally."

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Meanwhile the losers in this round had these comments. "This lawsuit, should it be upheld on appeal and in the Supreme Court, would become the 'Roe v. Wade' of same-sex 'marriage,' " said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, referring to the 1973 decision that legalized abortion. Perkins said the ruling, which found California's gay marriage ban unconstitutional, would overturn marriage bans adopted by dozens of states if it is upheld (during interview on CNN). In FRC's official release, Perkins said, "Marriage is recognized as a public institution, rather than a purely private one, because of its role in bringing together men and women for the reproduction of the human race and keeping them together to raise the children produced by their union. The fact that homosexuals prefer not to enter into marriages as historically defined does not give them a right to change the definition of what a 'marriage' is. "Marriage as the union between one man and one woman has been the universally-recognized understanding of marriage not only since America's founding but for millennia. To hold that the Founders created a constitutional right that none of them could even have conceived of is, quite simply, wrong. Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) wrote in a letter to NOM backers and supporters, Dear Marriage Supporter, Moments ago, in a burst of unprecedented judicial arrogance, Judge Walker struck down California's Prop 8. This is a ruling that not only ignores the clear, legally-enacted will of the people of California, but jeopardizes the marriage laws of 45 states and threatens to strip millions of Americans of our core civil right to vote for marriage. We will fight back! Details to follow . . . . You can read the decision, and follow all the latest coverage at www.prop8case.com. Former presidential candidate Gary Bauer called (in a press release) the ruling to "reject the will" of almost 7 million voters in striking down California's ban on gay marriage "a slap in the face to the people of California and a clear example of an agenda-driven judge rejecting the guidelines of the law." "Marriage is a unique union of male and female. And while other relationships exist, the value placed on this special relationship extends through all faiths and through all civilizations. The voters of California of all races and religions have consistently rejected the demands of America's cultural elites that the basic institution of marriage be transformed in order to satisfy the demands of a small minority. From one end of the country to the other, the American people have rejected this kind of social engineering, and recognize the special role that normal marriage plays in our society. Hopefully the Supreme Court will send this decision to the judicial graveyard where it belongs." And lastly for this wrapup of the "Day of Decision", the Catholic Church released its statement, Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, decried the August 4 decision of a federal judge to overturn California voters' 200 initiative that protected marriage as the union of one man and one woman. "Marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of any society. The misuse of law to change the nature of marriage undermines the common good," Cardinal George said. "It is tragic that a federal judge would overturn the clear and expressed will of the people in their support for the institution of marriage. No court of civil law has the authority to reach into areas of human experience that nature itself has defined." Joining Cardinal George in his criticism of the court decision was Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage. Archbishop Kurtz noted that "Citizens of this nation have uniformly voted to uphold the understanding of marriage as a union of one man and one woman in every jurisdiction where the issue has been on the ballot. This understanding is neither irrational nor unlawful," he said. "Marriage is more fundamental and essential to the well being of society than perhaps any other institution. It is simply unimaginable that the court could now claim a conflict between marriage and the Constitution."

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Aren't you GLAAD Scott?

afterperez — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:18:00 +0000

I gotta admit that I've been slacking on keeping up with MTV's Real World ever since....well, ever since I got all hopped up on Tina for the first time back in the early 2000s. I feel in love with that Danny boy from the first New Orleans season, but that ass hat wouldn't return my emails or phone calls so I've moved on to a new Real World obsession. [caption id="attachment_312" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Much better than \'The Situation\'"][/caption]Meet my new fav ex-Real Worlder Scott Herman. Herman whose keeps popping up at gay events -- the boy really knows his target audience -- is a huge supporter of LGBT causes and a fitness guru...like duh! What channel is MTV on again? More Scott Herman photos in our Scott Herman gallery.

"One Big Event" In Hartford To Benefit Many In The Connecticut LGBT Community

Lyndon Evans — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 06:32:09 +0000

The Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective will be presenting their 8th One Big Event (OBE) on Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Hilton Hartford Hotel. One of Hartford's most distinctive benefits, it brings in a tangy mix of the old guard, the hip crowd and drag queens out in full force. This isn't your grandmother's night out on the town. New England's Rising Star will be a meteor that night and you don't want to miss it! Mark your calendar now and be part of an evening you won't forget. One Big Event is the entertainment. This year we have one of the hottest comedians on the circuit, Ian Harvie. Called "quite possibly the most unique stand-up comic in the country" by Frontiers magazine, Ian is the world's first Female to Male transgendered comic. He has appeared as the opening act for Margaret Cho, had his own self-titled comedy/talk show, The Ian Harvie Show at Los Angeles comedy club Largo and on the "Logo" network. One Big Event is a fundraiser for the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective, the largest organization in the state devoted to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities. The funds raised from the evenings' festivities go toward programs and services. Although these are tough economic times, we are determined that this will be our most successful OBE yet. For more information, go to their website: www.onebigevent.org One Big Event is a wonderful evening with cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions and dancing with the fabulous Shaded Soul Band. Michael Wilson, Artistic Director of The Hartford Stage, will again be our emcee.The evening starts with cocktails at 6:00pm and ends at midnight when the band plays their last song. Tickets are $125, $175 and $225. Once again, ING is the biggest sponsor at $10,000. The Honorary Host for the gala is openly gay Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra.

He’s your typical boy-next-door, and he’s bound to have you falling over in your seat laughing. Comedian Ian Harvie, who will be joining us for this year’s One Big Event, has a boyish charm and a fierce wit that makes his stories relatable to audience members of all walks of life. Harvie is especially precious to us as he is transgender, calling himself the “T” of our LGBT community. He is, in fact, the world’s first FTM comedian. Now that’s female-to-masculine, not female-to-male. Harvie claims a transgender rather than a male identity, saying, “I don't feel like I was robbed of the correct biological sex; I believe I was born in the right body, and that I just may want to change it a little bit.” His gender identity, which he says ranges from “butch” to “transman” to “tranny boi,” is fluid but unmistakably masculine, amounting to his sense of ease in his body and comfortable and captivating presence on stage. Whether he’s talking about penis envy—which he insists is not his problem, as he “has three in his top dresser drawer”—or about his problems with public restrooms, he reminds his LGBT and ally audience that we truly are a family. He cuts to the core of the queer experience and, moreover, the human experience and is bold in his anecdotal accounts of touchy topics. He unabashedly tackles love and politics, gender and sexuality, and will leave you in a fit of laughter no matter what hilarious story he’s sharing.

We Put The "B" In LGBT ... The Bisexual Revolution

Lyndon Evans — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:47:40 +0000

In a world visibly divided between gay and straight, the bisexual is easily overlooked. We undertake a rare examination of society’s view of bisexuality and its expression in contemporary art and culture. From Europe to North America, the film traces the history of bisexuals from ancient times through the liberation movements of the ‘70s and beyond. Archive footage and film clips portray a wide range of cultural artefacts from the worlds of music, literature and cinema: David Bowie to Tokio Hotel, Brett Easton Ellis to Philippe Besson, John Schlesinger’s Sunday Bloody Sunday to Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain.

Well hello there

Cass Thiessen — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:12:31 +0000

Hola random people of the interwebz. I really wish there could be a Vancouver pride every weekend because I cannot wait til next year. Being only my first year out of the closet this was my first Vancouver pride and amazing nonetheless. Vancouver pride wasn't my very first pride, no sir, my very first pride was in lovely city of san diego last month. Well now that I've bored people to death with my pride ramblings I guess we should get on with the getting to know me bit. The name's Cass Thiessen, I live in a small town in British Columbia Canada. No I dont live in an igloo and own a polar bear nor is it always freezing cold. I also don't say eh after every word but, it does slip out occasionally. I have the most amazing friends possible. Tegan and Sara make me happy along with paramore and music is basically my life. Well now that you're basically in a coma due to bordum I shall warn you my rondomness will oneday show if not already, my rants will be long and craziness will ensue but hey what can ya do? - Cass