A Tough Economy

Were the World Mine

Last night, Friday, Jay and I met up with some old friends of mine, Doug and Jose, for a fun evening of dinner, a movie, and coffee and desserts afterwards. We had an all around great time in the Fabulous City (my new name for New York City).

And, I ran into blogging celebrities Josh and Josh while standing in line. I looked over and recognizing them, I said, "Say!! You're Josh of Josh and Josh, right?" We had a nice time talking about the hoopla over the premier of the movie Were the World Mine. It seems every homo in NYC wanted to see this movie and the line was stretched down the block just to get in.

The movie itself was a wonderful experience. It tells a modern interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. To be honest, every other version of that play has confused me...I guess it took a gay subtext to help me understand what was going on. The actors were great and the singing exceptional. And, it had a great ending (I hate movies with tragic endings).

If the movie is playing in your area, you simply must go see it. Below is the trailer for the film.

The Power of Love

Andrew Sullivan posted this email he received from one of his readers. I love it.

I am a 26 year old heterosexual, white male who is in the best relationship of my life. She is a 26 year old Egyptian woman. We're very happy and recently she met most of my family and extended family. They loved her as well. We even hope to marry someday. I am so grateful that I live in a country that would honor that bond. As you know, it wasn't too long ago that our relationship would not be recognized in many states. That being said, I've taken the stand that I do not want to join the institution of marriage until it is one that allows ALL loving couples to join.

This has been met with raised eyebrows by some in my family. It's not really understood why I would care so much about an issue that doesn't affect me directly. But as an American - it absolutely does. I live in a country that will recognize my relationship but won't recognize another.

The reasons are endless. Gay marriage threatens "traditional marriage" (so did my inter-racial relationship once upon a time). The Bible said man should not lie with man (guess what the Bible thought of me being with an Egyptian -yikes). I've had family, whom are genuinely good people, say that it just weird's them out, they are old-fashioned, it's not the way marriage has been for thousands of years (again - look at my relationship - the same was said about couples like us). So it does affect me. The parallels are numerous. I am so lucky I was born into a generation that approves of the love I feel towards her. Yet, I live in the same generation that doesn't approve of yours - at least in the eyes of the State. But we're getting there.

I was once of the same mindset of most of my family. Being gay was wrong. Then I went to The Ohio State University, and guess what? I met gay people. They were nice, they were jerks, they were shy and they were outgoing. My God, they were like me. Familiarity was the key. It was ok for me to accept that lifestyle because it wasn't "foreign" anymore. Progress, as you have said, will be made in not by litigation so much but in our living rooms, with friends and family. I speak very openly on this issue with my family now. They are great people that, frankly, maybe fear what they don't understand. But maybe I can be that connection to an understanding. Maybe seeing how I feel and how it hasn't destroyed my relationships will help them realize - it's ok. They can in one moment look at my girlfriend and I and hope to see us marry - then in the next moment disapprove of another loving couple wanting to do the same. I wish they looked at your love the same way they look at mine.

There's no need to be afraid. Gays aren't here to destroy marriage. They just want to enjoy it, stress about it, succeed at it, fail at it - as much as the rest of us. As a son of divorce, I need something to re-instill my faith in marriage. I hope to marry someday, maybe when all 50 states allow Gay marriage, maybe when my home state of Ohio does, I don't know exactly. But I do know I need to see something. Something that says this institution of marriage isn't of the mindset of your local country club's "white's only" policies. I love golf. Can you imagine me, a man with a Middle-Eastern partner, joining a "Whites Only" institution? Me neither. Once that "sign" comes down - I'll be the first to join. Know hope.

Sex Education Done Better

As perhaps some of you may know, Barack Obama isn't too kean on abstinence only sex education. Even more so, he wants to lift 'abstinence only' education when money is given for AIDS causes and prevention. Since most studies have indicated that 'abstinence only' education simply doesn't work, more folks are looking into ways to help stop the transmission and spread of HIV and other STDs.

Honestly, there are quite a few of us folks who are elated that finally we're going to have a broader canopy of education--to include abstinence and other forms of safe sex education and family planning. What exactly that's going to look at, I don't know. But one thing is may look like is akin to a particular video I just watched called "To Spit or Swallow". The video was found on The Midwest Teen Sex Show, a website written and hosted by a mother who explains that everything she talks about she didn't do, when she was a teenager. CBS did a story on her (where I discovered the website) and explained her controversial subject material. Here is that story.



Check out the Spit or Swallow video below.



h/t the Bilerico Project

Pink: So What?

AOL Sessions have recorded Pink singing a few of her latest hits including the incredibly cool, "So What?" I love Pink. Heck, I even won a prize recently in which I received a promo CD (I thought it was going to be her new CD) from The Bilerico Project's CD giveaway. Still, it's a good promo CD and like I said, I simply love Pink.

Go here to watch the AOL Sessions.

Jay Brannan

Ever since I heard him sing "Soda Shop" in the movie Short Bus, I have been captivated by Jay Brannan. His music is cherubic and has just enough of that 'in your face' attitude from a distinctively talented singer.

Check out the video below. (There is explicit language in the song.)



Go here to download his solo album that is just out on iTunes. And yes, I hate the title of his album.

Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on Prop. 8

This is best heard than commented on.



h/t Towleroad

"Still I Rise"

While I am thrilled Obama got elected, I am not so thrilled that so many anti-gay initiatives passed in states across the country. Putting into a state's constitution religious bigotry just seems so unAmerican. If you're feeling like me, take heart. Dr. Maya Angelou tells us that we will prevail against the haters. An abbreviated version of her poem, "Still I Rise":

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear....
I rise
I rise
I rise.

h/t gay atomic wonk

Are You in the 98% Crowd?

I just got this email sent to me and I did exactly what it said to do and discovered that I have an abnormal mind (which didn't sound like a compliment). So, I am putting it here to see if I am abnormal or if you are...if enough of us are abnormal, wouldn't that mean we're really 'normal' and everyone else is abnormal?

Go ahead, give it a try, and post your answer in the comments section. I'll post how I scored later.

At the end of this message, you are asked a question. Answer it immediately. Don't stop and think about it. Just say the first thing that pops into your mind. This is a fun 'test'... AND kind of spooky at the same time! Give it a try and you'll see how many people you know fall into the same percentage as you. Now - just follow the instructions as quickly as possible. Do not go to the next calculation before you have finished the previous one. You do not ever need to write or remember the answers, just do it using your mind. You'll be surprised. Start: How much is: 15 + 6 21 3 + 56 59 89 + 2 91 12 + 53 65 75 + 26 101 25 + 52 77 63 + 32 95 I know! Calculations are hard work, but it's! nearly over.. Come on, one more! ... 123 + 5 128 QUICK! THINK ABOUT A COLOR AND A TOOL! You just thought about a red hammer , didn't you? If this is not your answer, you are among 2% of people who have a different, if not abnormal, mind. 98% of the folks would answer a red hammer while doing this exercise.

Uncle Sam's Fist Bump

Get Off your Butt

...and go vote already!

This may be one of the most important elections in our lifetime. Whatever direction the outcome, you'll be participating in an historical moment. Either our country is screwed for another four years or change is coming.

Here is my hope that change is gonna come, as sung by Seal. Even if you don't want change to come, it's a great video and song just the same.



h/t Queerty