Prayers for Bobby

On January 24th, Lifetime will air a movie based on the bestselling and incredibly sad book, Prayers for Bobby. If the movie is as good as the trailer and follows the book, this will be an incredible movie. Signorney Weaver stars as Mary Griffith, Bobby's mom.

I remember reading the book over a decade ago and having to put it down after each chapter because I was crying so hard. Seriously, it'll rip your heart out. The book chronicles the life of Bobby Griffith up to his suicide and shows how his family reacted to his self-identification as a young gay man. What makes the book so revealing is that Bobby kept a diary. In it, he reveals his self-loathing and the reader understands his sadness as he takes his own life. But the story doesn't end there--it continues on in the life of his mother. The book explains and shows her own personal transformation to become a leader in PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).

The Thin Line

Most people know the old addage, 'The difference between love and hate is a thin line.' The vigor one has for someone they love can sour into the same passionate response as experienced as hate. Anyone who has ever loved someone more than anything they've ever imagined--and then, hated that very same person when their love ended can testify to this strange but true reality.

And, we don't have to look to relationship gone bad to see a modern example of this phenomena. We only need turn to Barack Obama's decision to have Rick Warren pray his inauguration. Just a month ago, the tide of pride and hoopla surrounding his election was heard the world over. Who'd've thunk he'd ever get elected? Liberals, gay folks, and moderate America was celebrating like no other. Coming off 8-years of President Bush, America was ecstatic over Obama.

And just as bright and shiny as the celebration began, it is fizzling with the same intensity. And, why? Because a politician, who never supported gay marriage in the first place, picked an evangelical who has said horrible things about gay marriage but supports civil partnerships, just as Obama does. They have a common issue, granting legal rights to gay folks--but using different language to justify it. And, to Obama's credit, he picked a liberal the Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, a wonderful liberal in his own right who does support gay marriage, to end his inauguration. In this way, he is sandwiching himself between religious extremes hoping to be the middle ground in American politics.

Unfortunately what Obama didn't expect is that in American religion, nothing is worse than being 'luke-warm' and in politics luke-warm often equals 'middle ground'. He is learning that his position will offend both sides of the religious debate. To Obama's credit though, he doesn't seem to care. He is forging ahead doing what he thinks is the right thing and, I would agree. But then, I know that Obama is a politician and not a prophet.

Maybe some liberals were hoping for an opposite-President to everything Bush wasn't. Such an idea is misguided at best and naively ignorant at worst. However, from the looks of things, it sure looks like liberal America put their hopes in Obama in a way that is disengenuous to any healthy relationship by championing him as their savior in American politics. It won't take long (and we can already see that) as bitterness will surely follow. It's a shame though, Obama hasn't even stepped foot in office and we've already turned on him.

I shudder to think what'll happen when Obama disappoints us again (and, he surely will). Will we call for impeachment if we discover an unpleasant secret of his? Will we impeach him because he still smokes cigarettes?

Seriously, we're blowing this thing WAY out of proportion. We elected Obama because we wanted something different in Washington. Let's give him a chance to show us something different rather than just more of the same sort of 'its us against them' mentality that has continued to divide us as a nation.

Obama Selecting Warren

If you're a daily blog reader, you've no doubt already read the stink about Obama selecting Rick Warren, the mega-church pastor at Saddleback Church to pray at Obama's inauguration. I have spent the day reading LGBT responses that all say the same thing..."We've been sold out!"

Personally, I am not as offended as most. Obama's a politician (and better than most, in my opinion). He makes his choices for reasons and from what the Obama folks have said, it makes sense they'd choose someone like Warren. I am disappointed that a UCC minister wasn't chosen and that an evangelical like Warren was favored instead. Still, it's all politics, right?

But then, I read a great piece written by Pastor Dan at Street Prophets. This post really hits home for me my feelings of angst but not over-the-top feelings. While I still have trouble with the GD cuss word, this post nails it for me. Seriously, if you haven't already read it, give it a shot. Maybe it'll hit home for you too.

Benny Hinn in a Fun Video

If you know who Benny Hinn is, you might enjoy this short video set to the tune of one of Benny Hill's sketches.

Prop 8 Video

This is a cute and fun short play written about about Prop 8:

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

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

In Case You Missed It...

... as I did. Here is Barack Obama's 30-minute informercial about his Presidency.

Dirty Tricks

Here is another dirty trick. You know there will be people who fall for this.

h/t joe.my.god

Some Scary Stuff

I am getting all tense with this election. And this video isn't helping. It shows an interview with a Country Clerk about the touch screen voting booths and what happens when the machines get off their calibration. Seriously, this could have serious ramifications.



h/t towleroad

Great Quote

from joe.my.god

"Some insist that there’s very little difference between candidate A and candidate B. Others claim that they’re with A on defense and health care but are leaning toward B when it comes to the economy.

"I look at these people and can’t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?

"To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

"To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked." - David Sedaris, writing about undecided voters in New Yorker.