It's the BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER APRIL 6!

Well, it's the end of another week and since I wasn't around last Friday for our final weekend post, I feel like there is even more to cover than usual. And that's before even getting to all the stuff that happened today, including the reaction to the Disney story.

Speaking of New York, it was great, especially because I missed all the really awful weather from the week before. Of course, the weather was even nicer in Palm Springs where I met up with the staff from AfterEllen for our staff retreat. That meant it was me and a gazillion lesbians all there for the Dinah Shore Weekend. Hanging out with the gals from AfterEllen was a lot of fun and very interesting, and, woohee, the things I learned about lesbians! Unfortunately, I'm now sworn to secrecy upon penalty of having my head shaved and being forced getting to attend the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival.

The big news for us today was, of course, Disney changing their policy in regards to same-sex couples having their commitment ceremonies on Disney properties. The story has been picked up everywhere from Topeka, Kansas to Mumbai, India. Of course, not everyone reported the story quite the same way.

The Reuters article reported that Disney changed their minds after being asked by a same-sex couple. I know for a fact that ain't the case and the Reuters' reporter was enough of a journalist to do a little digging and conclude that our article probably had something to do with the change. Too bad the Associated Press couldn't be bothered. They only reported Disney's line about the supposed couple and made no mention of our article. I contacted the reporter who to ask about it and he literally couldn't have been less interested. He also seemed surprised by the notion that Disney might not have been telling the whole truth. It's not like corporations have ever lied or anything, so this reporter's lack of skepticism is entirely understandable.

Considerably more skeptical was the reporter from the Orlando Sentinel who interviewed me about how the story came about as did CTV in Canada. Speaking of CTV, they're hot to trot to do a story about a couple getting hitched in Mouse ears so if that might be you, drop an email to Susan Treen at streen@ctv.ca. But invite us first!

But the funniest version of the story I've read is over at Gay.com where they report "The change follows criticism from LGBT news outlets..." Um, no. It was one LGBT news outlet.

Regular readers have probably noticed that a number of wingnut religious types found their way to the blog and have blathered their Biblical nonsense. But if want to see full-force Category 5 wingnuttery on the topic, check out our good friend Pam Spaulding's blog where she has collected the dingiest of the ding-y from FreeRepublic.com. My favorite part of Pam's blog is her "Freeper" icon which is one of the screaming beasties from The Lord of the Rings.

In this week's BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER! I have an asterisk spoiler for this Sunday's episode of Brothers & Sisters. I also muse over just what is going on with our boy Kevin. all the flak Out is getting for their ill-conceived cover story with Anderson Cooper and Jodie Foster, and all the gay programming coming to BBC America.

BTW, we've also started a Video Clip of the Week page where Brian, myself, and some of the writers will offer some of our favorite clips that we haven't been able to use on the blog. This week Brian picked the adorable CutewithChris and I've got a Star Trek video song that has to be seen to be believed. I'm still not sure whether to be offended or not!

Speaking of video clips, we're also starting a page that will feature some of our favorite same-sex snogs such as the one from the season finale of Torchwood, the kiss from the great episode of Cold Case "Forever Blue", and maybe something from Brokeback Mountain. But we'd like your input as well, so email me at editor@afterelton.com with your choices!

See you on Monday!