Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (May 11, 2007)

GET YOUR JENGO ON! NO, NOT JENGA. JENGO!
For those folks out there wiling away the days until Noah's Arc makes its big screen debut, I've got some good news. I recently came across JengoTV.com which describes itself as “the premiere online media network for the LGBT community of color.” Jengo was founded in 2006 and actually means “building strength” in Swahili (as opposed to Spike TV which, ironically, means "festering sewer" in Swahili). The network grew out of a single program called “Inside Blast”, an entertainment and news show that began in September 2006.

So what can you see on JengoTV? As of right now, they've got one drama—The Closet—about a group of African-American men and women dealing with issues of—you guessed it—men who identify as straight, but have sex with men. It's more than just that, of course, with a committed gay couple as well as the women married to those lying dogs confused souls. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the show including the writing, production quality, and acting (with one exception). It's not network quality, but it is one of the best web shows I've seen, and given how under-served the African-American LGBT community is, I find it hard to believe the network won't find an audience.

Besides The Closet, you can watch Inside Blast for interviews, The Buzz for movie reviews, Chick Chat, and First Take. Everything is free except for The Closet which you download episodes at 99 cents a pop or own outright for $3.99.

DOUG BLASDELL— DECEMBER 14, 1962 -- JANUARY 22, 2007
Bravo aired the final episode of Work Out this week (there is a special reunion episode next week) and seeing Doug's ex, Cheo, discuss Doug's belief he wouldn't live past his forty-fifth birthday is just heartbreaking. I can't imagine carrying that kind of weight around, especially knowing how young his parents were when they died.

Doug's friend and fellow trainer, Brian Peeler, continues to impress me as I thought Doug would be the one on the show busting stereotypes. But Brian, a self-described Southern boy, is doing it as well by being unabashedly supportive of the out Doug. He also hasn't been afraid to be emotional and cry on camera. Too often being a young, straight male is associated with being tough and inexpressive as if that is what makes you a man. And I also appreciated when he shared the principles that guided Doug's life and that he always carried in his pocket. You'll find them after my favorite photo of Doug.

• Just for today, do not worry

• Just for today, do not anger

• Honor your parents, teachers, and elders

• Earn your living honestly

• Show gratitude to all living things

The world would be a better place if more folks lived by those principles.