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Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (May 29, 2009)Next week brings a couple of changes to the homepage. At some point during the week, we're debuting our new front page, which I think you'll like, since it reflects the information that you most want to know about gay pop culture. Or at least the information we think you want to know based on the questions you ask the Flying Monkey. Here is a screencap of the new front page.
I tease. We know you want to know more than just who is gay. You also want to know if they are single and will meet you for drinks! Okay, the real new homepage won't be unveiled until next week, but it was designed to make our most recent content more easily findable. The thirty or so most recent articles, blog posts and videos will appear in the left hand column — that way, if you happen to miss a day visiting the site, you can catch up easily without hunting around. Meanwhile, the top of the right hand column will be labeled The Big Deal and will feature the interviews, reviews, articles, or blog posts we think you'll be most interested in that day. We also want to make our community features more visible. So right below The Big Deal, you'll find topics such as "Who's Online", "New Members", "Active Topics" and so forth. And a little later this summer will be making other improvements as well. Please note, whenever tech changes like this are made, there can be bugs. We appreciate your patience as we work through them, and by all means, feel free to private message us with any glitches you might notice. Lastly, the BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER! is taking a week off next week. You might have heard rumors that Adam's loss to Kris caused the column to have a wee bit of a nervous breakdown. I really think a week off will help get it back on it's feet. And I totally deny all charges that the BGWE is going in for some "work" such as a tummy tuck and eyebrow lift. Those are all lies spread by jealous competitors! Okay, I'm really taking the week off from the column because after a year of trying to buy a new house, Brent and I are finally moving! We were supposed to move this weekend, but due to the fact that the real estate and mortgage industry are walking disaster zones, our move got bumped to the middle of next week. (Seriously, you wouldn't believe the crap we've been through! I don't know how the real estate market is ever going to recover when it's this hard to buy a house.)
Our new neighborhood! But I promise to back the week after that — assuming the cable company actually hooks up our internet! Now I'll shut up, so you can have the BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER! Submitted by on Thu, 2009-05-28 21:22. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media
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One Winner - Both Deserving
I'm starting to wonder if sometimes us gay folk blindly support something just because it's gay or gay related.
I mean, yes, Adam is awesome and talented, but so is Kris, in my opinion. They are total opposites of the spectrum; Adam is in your face, glam rock, and Kris is quiet, songwriter vibe.
People don't give Kris enough credit just because he's not as loud in execution and personality. Some of the performances he did on AI were fantastic, quiet, and subtle - and ultimately underrated. His voice is not as big as Adam's, but it doesn't mean it's bad. He has a good, smooth, singing voice. Louder does NOT = better. Both their vocals are strong in their own way.
In my book, they were equals for a bunch of totally different reasons. Hell, I'm just happy it was Adam and Kris that made the top 2, and not Gokey. During the AI run, I was a fan of both Kris and Adam. I would've been happy if either one won, so when I saw the top 2, I was ecstatic!
Lastly, it's one thing to root for Adam, but it's another thing to put down Kris. (not saying any or all of you did, just saying there's sometimes that vibe going around, not just as AE)
What Adam Should Say About the Pink Elephant
A few things
First of all, why does your "Does Adam Lambert need to say the words "I'm gay!"?" poll not include this option:
"No, because it doesn't matter, and it's not my business anyway?"
I'm just curious. I'm a straight gal, so maybe there's something I'm not getting.
And then there's Sam Schulman's "The Worst Thing About Gay Marriage: It isn't going to work". There are so many points with which I disagree, I don't know where to begin. But I'll try and edit myself.
As a woman, one of the most offensive comments was: "Second, kinship modifies marriage by imposing a set of rules that determines not only whom one may marry (someone from the right clan or family, of the right age, with proper abilities, wealth, or an adjoining vineyard), but, more important, whom one may not marry."
Am I a piece of property whose destiny is in the hands of the kinship? How repugnant!
This "kinship" that Schulman carries on about is clearly something of his own creation which reflect his small minded "values" and opinions. I'm still at a complete loss on how incest plays into any of this.
And then there's this "witty" comment: "Can we imagine Frank's family and friends warning him that "If Joe were serious, he would put a ring on your finger"? Do we ask Vera to stop stringing Sally along?"
No, that's not something easily imagined because same sex marriages are legal in only 4 or 5 states. How's that for some salt to rub into the Prop 8 wounds? What a really hurtful thing to say!
Mr. Schulman, crawl back under your rock and start looking for wife number four, because if number three has any brains, you'll be single again soon enough.
Sweet Jesus
Is it too late for Aiken to pull a Bowie and go back in the closet?
He actually makes me appreciate the Hell out of Tom Cruise.
I don't think Adam should
I don't think Adam should have refrained from coming out in order to let Kris shine, -that's utter crap. He doesn't owe Kris anything in that regard. It is Adam's life, Adam's call and how ever he handles it will be how he handles it. I think that if he ran out right after losing and announced "I'm Gay" in People magazine, he would come off as a total fake who was ashamed of who he was and was only hiding that in order to garner votes. You know he is about more than that, if you've been listening to him.
I think it's pretty simple, really. He isn't a gay singer, he's a singer who's gay. Nobody asks straight singers if they are straight. I think Adam what's to take this to a point, to make a point. If you are going to ask me, "are you, in fact, gay," then you better start asking everyone if they are in fact straight.
Just one more thing to add....
Rybak and Allen
marriage, adam comments, coming out
That article by Sam Schulman was interesting, in a totally scary way. If gay marriage helps to obliterate everything he talks about (and, actually, in a way, I think it will), then his whole article is a GIANT advertisement for gay marriage.
Clay Aiken's comments about Adam were rude (and unwise). That said, this link: http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=410889>1=28103 does have some follow up to that. Clay says this: "He could not have gotten on Idol (nor made it as far as he did) without an immense amount of talent. He surely doesn't need my approval to know he has a gift."
re adam coming out: I think the natural time for Adam or anybody to come out is when they are in a long term relationship. Long term relationships are part of one's public life as much as one's personal life, the way jobs and careers are. Before you're at that point, describing who you would date, if you were dating, is something that I can't exactly insist people have a "right" to know.
Keir Gilchrist in "The Listener"
Yes, this series is cheesy at times, the writing can be clunky and some of the acting isn't very good but overall, I find "The Listener" enjoyable light fluff entertainment. And it's shot on location in and around Toronto, which is cool for those of us who live in the region.
However, the episode guest-starring Keir Gilchrist is really quite good. It's actually episode 5, not 2. Did you watch it in its entirety, Michael? At the risk of posting a spoiler, I would say the episode is something that would interest AfterElton.
Btw, the main character played by cutie Craig Olejnik is a telepath, not a psychic.
Here in the US, it's going to be
The Listener
Wow, I loved that episode, and I think it hndled the subject matter much better than a recent police procedural which had a similar theme. The thing I liked most was its open-ended nature, that not everything was neatly resolved at the end. Very cool.
Re The Listener as a whole, I know it's pretty cheezy and Os can get annoying, but I still love it. It has a multi-ethnic cast, which is pretty awesome, and Craig Olejnik has the biggest and bluest eyes this side of Frodo Baggins, I mean COME ON! How can anyone resist?
just ask it
to me, it doesn't matter. He shouldn't have to say the words. why? everyone seems to "know" anyway, so confirming it would....be.....pointless.
if reporters and stuff DO want to address it, why dont they just directly ask "you gay?"
I don't know why people are dancing around it. yes, it's his business and he can choose to answer directly or not, but just ask.
i feel like everybody is making this into a bigger issue than it needs to be. Are we not in a day and age where being gay is not that big of a deal? I thought we were.
Another thing.....why were people so quick before in the past to not dance around this "are you gay?" issue and now they are? before clay came out, people asked him directly. Adam is different because......why?
people confuse me.
As long as gay people...
...answer questions about their sexuality differently then straight people do, it creates and aura of shame around the issue.
The gap between someone being assumed to be gay and actually acknowledging it is as wide as the difference between inequality and equality.
Saying the words
actually..
Identity can be fluid. Ok, you can't do much about looking white but you could walk around with a good toupee and not be perceived as being bald. Likewise, you have had African-Americans in the past who could pass as white. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Francis_White
Now, Adam is using the Ryan Evans playbook. Ok, maybe he could pass as metrosexual or glam rock. But not when he's avoiding pronouns in "Tracks of My Tears", not answering things on his personal life (I've heard of contracts that have 'no open gay' clauses.)... and who was that man who stood up with Adam's parents in the finale? It all adds up to "I'm gay gay gay."
The thing is true equality isn't outing yourself... It's the male date to a premiere- no beard included. It's the magazine cover showing a relationship, not "I'm Gay!" It's thanking the boyfriend/husband during the awards show, just like every straight person does. It's this: http://geocities.com/rammanluvsmanefaces/
Annie Barrett
Listen to the warm
afhickman
Alexander Rybak´s new album is out today in Europe, and I refuse to let Afterelton ruin my enjoyment of it. Give the kid a chance to learn better English and to adjust to his new-found celebrity before you trash him. I´d be willing to bet that some of you were young once; how would you feel about someone analyzing your every word--especially in a second language. If he´s still making major gaffs in a couple of years, then slam away."The mountain has wings."
Calling Colonel Cathcart
afhickman
Well, there goes my Kharma quotient--back in the dumper. And all because I'm for fair play when it comes to passing judgment on people we don't really know. However, there are more important issues at stake: for example, is Alex's freshman CD a black eye or a feather in his cap? Actually, it's neither. I think I like the performer a lot better than I do his album, although it has its moments. That being said, I would like to address the language issue. Alex has written most of the lyrics on "Fairytales," and they are all in English. As in his press conferences, I think he needs to work with an interpreter. He sings several variations on the "puppy love" theme and then comes up with a puzzler about "13 Horses" dying at sea. Apparently the songs are all intended to be, wait for it, fairy tales! I still love the violin, and his vocals are endearing, but the album itself comes off as forced (even his Eurovision winner, "Fairy Tale," lacks the spontaneity that sells it in performance before a live audience). Next time out, he's bound to get the full studio treatment, the danger then being that he may settle for schmaltz. So, apart from a few pretty tunes, and a big dollop of sincerity (you gotta love those dimples!), you might want to pass on "Fairytales"--unless of course, Alex comes out and then we can all rally behind him in AE-approved LGBT/GLBT fashion. I give it a three out of five. PC, Señor?
"The mountain has wings."
I'm going to come to Annie
Oh yeah and before you all
Jason, I'm going to jump in
Jason, I'm going to jump in and agree with you. Both because I agree with you and also because I find your "alternate" views refreshing. I sometimes agree, and sometimes don't, but your individual take on things is always welcome by me.
The main thing I agree with you about is the egregious over-usage of the word "homophobia". It's gotten to the point where many people posting here use it as an all-purpose word anytime a straight person does or says something they don't agree with. The Alexander Rybak situation is one recent example. You can think he was insensitive, or he mis-spoke, or his priorities simply aren't the same as yours. None of those things make him homophobic. To me, perhaps the classic example was the dumb Mr. T commercial where he attacked a goofy looking "fast walker" for not being enough of a macho man. People called that homophobic, even though there was no reason to classify the fast walking guy as gay!
In the most recent case, Lythgoe was indeed, in my opinion, ignorant and stupid, and I disagreed with his take on things, and even more with how the show presented the entire episode. But we're over-reaching to call this overt homophobia. He may be a homophobe, I don't know. But this incident doesn't tell us whether he is or isn't. For all I know, he supports gay marriage, he totally opposes all gay discrimination, etc., but just happens to not like two men doing ballroom dancing. HE HAS THAT RIGHT. We can totally disagree, as I indeed do, but we can't be telling everyone they have to like everything we like, and see everything the way we see it. If one sees gay people as being as good and valuable as anyone else, then that person is not a homophobe, whether or not they like the idea of two men doing ballroom dance.
Where I see this situation most in my own life is in the feelings of many straight guys about masculinity. I have several straight friends or acquaintances who are what you might call "traditionally masculine". They're not fond of "girly" traits in men, and they put a lot of weight on the "macho ideal" of toughness. No "sensitive guy" stuff for them. But they nonetheless are fully in favor of gay rights and would never treat gay people with anything less than respect. Do I think they're "unenlightened" or old-fashioned in how they think of masculinity? Certainly. But they fully accept me and, as I say, take it for granted that gay people should be just like anyone else, with all the rights of anyone else. And part of that to them is that gay people shouldn't be any more immune from their joshing and junior-high joking than anyone else. No coddling needed. Personally, I find that refreshing. I doubt they'd appreciate two guys ballroom dancing, but that doesn't make them homophobic.
From my perspective, all I ask is that straight people respect me and support fully my rights. Beyond that I don't give a rat's ass if they like men dancing, or if they disdain when sensitive guys "talk about their feelings". But, as in the Nigel Lythgoe case, I can disagree with their viewpoints, or consider them close-minded, or insensitive, etc.
My initial reaction to the
My initial reaction to the picture of Jake was "Whoa! that man is hot!" My next reaction was "why the f**k is he wearing a dead fox?!" I hate it when hot guys pose with un-hot stuff (like fur, cigarettes, weapons, etc.)
as for the pink elephant, I think we should all just ignore it until it makes some loud noise.
I am SOOO happy David WIlliams is voicing his support. I did a project on homophobia in professional sports, and I really think the first step is not having more athletes come out (though, kudos to them if they do!) but having their teammates and coaches say "hey, it doesn't make a difference to how you play, so who cares." P
eople in Toronto were upset about California's decision too, and I want all the Californians out there to know I am standing with you, even from across the border.
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
Hardwood, not Harcourt
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
Meant to fix that earlier.
Happy to be single ;)
That was terrifying. Pity he's not alone in that way of thinking, but you are right, in the end by painting straight marriage in such a horrible colors, it's like positive advertisement for same sex marriage.
I like reading BGWE a lot, in spite of all the crazy/hateful/sad stuff that is reported :)
-
I thought my being happy to be single comment might look bad. I am very happy to be single, but I think everybody should have the right to get married if they want to, and I know and respect how important it is for many people.
That's why I should keep to reading other people's comments, my English is too shakey and I'm not very eloquent in my own language anyway. I'll shut up now.
Alexander Rybak's Gaffe
It's not really defending Alexander Rybak's blundered speech per se, but to be honest, he don't speak too good.
From the video you can see him mmm- and err-ing trying to think of a good response and he eventually would give out a bad one. If you watched the rest of the press release you'd notice that there's noticeably a lot of gaffes he made in a lot of matters. For example one of the first things he said was something to the effect of...
"Before the finals and I was favourite to win, I said winning didn't matter. Now it does."
Huh?
Personally then, I don't think he should be shot down for his comments. Not everyone who is being pushed into the limelight can speak well in the spotlight, and probably for the most part doesn't matter.
If he does keep it up though, go ahead and sharpen those pitchforks.
Alex is NOT a homophobe!
Alexander Rybak is NOT a homophobe. You can't judge the guy for ONE thing he said. I don't agree with what he said, I think what he said was wrong, but I still think it came across wrong. The point he was trying to get across was the fact that Eurovision is a big gay contest in iteself. He DID aknowledge his gay fans, though I admit, he did mess up a bit.
My point: you can NOT judge him from that ONE thing he said. He has a huge gay fanbase here in Norway. And do you really think he would have such a huge following if he was homophobic or AGAINST lgbt rights at all? NO, I don't think so! He has never said anything that indicates that he is against LGBT rights, or that he is a homophobe, or that he doesn't support LGBT issues. He is one of the sweetest people I have come across in a long time, so please, don't judge him because of that one thing! I don't think he was against them protesting either, he just thought they could have picked another day.. Maybe the protesters SHOULD have picked another day, because they would get smothered by the HUGE show that is Eurovision anyway.
Harvey Milk: You gotta give 'em hope.
Years ago, when I was younger
afhickman
It should be added that Rybak may have thought he was making a joke. Jokes don't usually translate well from one language to another. If so, he is also including himself in all the gayness that is Eurovision (that was my first thought, when he trotted out the dancing Wallendas), and I can't help but see that as a positive thing. For all we know, he may well come out before Mr. Lambert!
"The mountain has wings."
Face of the Enemy
I was hoping the 'Face of the Enemy' webisodes were going to be included in the BSG 4.5 set. I'd noticed they weren't listed, but the first listing for the Season 3 set didn't include information on 'The Resistance' webisodes, which did end up being included. Perhaps they will be included on the dvd release of "The Plan" after it airs this fall?
Whatever the reason they weren't included, it seems an epic fail on their part. I mean they basically left an episode of the show off the set so they could include more 'content'. It just seems like the story should come first, and that any extras should be just that. Extra. Instead, the complete series set (which already sucked for not including 'The Plan') is now 'the mostly complete series set', which doesn't have the same ring to it.
'The Face of the Enemy' webisodes weren't perfect, but they gave important character information that explained character motivation, and explained a scene in Season 3 that will leave new fans scratching their heads. Thankfully, I have copies of them all, and all my friends will get to see the webisodes where they take place. But it would be nice to see them on dvd. Can we start a petition somewhere to get them as an extra on "The Plan"?
Fisica o quimica
There is another scene from
There is another scene from that episode which is quite hot too. When Fer is in the bathroom and David walks in and blatantly takes a look at Fer's penis while he is peeing. And then David starts to open his trousers under the pretext that he's showing Fer his newly-trimmed bush...LOL. Obviously trying to turn Fer on. Funny.
However, it seems that they're going down the whole in denial about his sexuality thing with David. After that scene in the changing rooms, David goes and starts making out with Ruth. Fer sees and rushes off upset. Nothing new...but I suppose David being hot doesn't hurt :p.
Site Redesign
Gay Marriage and Straight Women
I recognize those houses.
Battlestar compaint e-mail address
BSG and the gay
[quote]Personally, I find it unlikely the show went out of its way to exclude the only content featuring the fact that Gaeta is gay.[quote]
Oh, honey! Seriously?
In a series with a big ensemble cast and thousands of extras which nevertheless managed never to have any same-sex interaction except for villains, you seriously doubt their homophobia (as well as icky gender issues, but that's not the topic)?
Look, Ron Moore came from Star Trek, originally, as series which over an approximate thirty year period managed never to have any normal everyday gay or lesbian characters. Never (I'm not talking about novelizations, I'm talking about actual episodes seen on an actual tv or movie, and by normal I don't mean crazy alien societies or stretched metaphors but two guys holding hands or something).
Now, I'm not blaming Ron Moore for this, but this is the mind-set he comes from. And in wanting to make a gritty more realistic science fiction series, it never occurred to him that gender diversity could be a part of it.So he makes excuse after excuse, until finally we get a retroactive lesbian (evil and dead), and a maybe gay guy (mutilated, misguided and dead). I could write a dissertation about this, how the general misogyny and gender issues in the new BSG are also extended to a lack of gender diversity and propensity towards racial profiling, but that's not what this is about.
Maybe they got pissed off that we didn't like the lesbian they eventually gave us. Maybe the whole 'Gaeta is gay' was for the real fans and they didn't want to alienate casual viewers. But to think this wasn't done on purpose is pretty naive.