Thanks to all our faithful readers! Here's a little V-Day present from us.

His name? Channing Tatum.

More Channing here.

Labels: celebrity

Two weeks ago on August 9th, LOGO hosted their forum for the Democratic presidential candidates. One by one, each candidate was interviewed by a panel made up of two journalists, Jonathan Capehart and Margaret Carlson; President of the Human Rights Campaign, Joe Solmonese; and musician and singer, Melissa Etheridge.

Six Democratic presidential candidates were in attendance, including Obama, Clinton, and Edwards, as well as Bill Richardson, who slipped up considerably on a question from Etheridge:

"Do you think homosexuality is a choice or is it biological?"

Richardson's reply: "It's a choice, it's..."

Etheridge: "I don't know if you understand the question. Do you think...... a homosexual is born that way, or do you think that around 7th grade we go "oh I want to be gay" ?

Richardson: "You know, uh, I'm not a scientist...."




Anyone with a basic understanding of gay rights should have immediately seen that Richardson had said something he shouldn't have. His answer rightly brought stirs, whispering, and maybe a few odd laughs from the audience as Etheridge appeared very taken aback and gave him a chance to hear the question again to make sure he wasn't confused. He wasn't.

The idea that a person chooses to be homosexual is truly reprehensible. It is offensive to the gay community as a whole to say that we have chosen to be gay because that implies that we could choose to be heterosexual at any time. Following this line of thought, you find the argument that gays shouldn't have equal rights because gay is not something inherent like race or sex, not to mention ridiculous things like Exodus International.

The most perplexing thing about Richardson's answer is his voting record. Like his staff points out in his "Statement Clarifying Answer From HRC Forum" Richardson has supported a slew of very important, powerful pieces of legislation in his home state of New Mexico.

From the press release:

Governor Bill Richardson has an accomplished record fighting for the rights of all Americans. Since taking office, Governor Richardson has:

1. Expanded anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation. [Senate Bill SB 28, 2003 Legislature]
   
2. Signed into law the state's first hate crimes legislation for acts including those based on sexual orientation. [SB 38, 2003 Legislature]
   
3. Provided state health insurance for domestic partnerships. [Executive Order 03 010]
   
4. Signed the Billy Griego HIV and AIDS Act, which was designed to ensure that consumers are the focus of the funding and services provided in all the state's HIV and AIDS cases. [Senate Bill 314, 2005 Legislature]
   
5. Created the state's first HIV and AIDS Policy Commission charged with reviewing and making recommendations on state HIV and AIDS policies. The commission also studies and makes recommendations on all factors affecting the availability, quality and accessibility of health services for persons with HIV and AIDS. [Senate Bill 313, 2005 Legislature]
   
6. Called a Special Session of the NM State Legislature to push for Domestic Partnerships Legislation, among other issues, after it failed by one vote in the Senate during the Regular Session. Governor Richardson has pledged to push for the legislation again during the next Legislative Session.
   

Obviously he supports a large number of gay rights issues and should be commended. But there still seems to be a disconnect. Despite a rephrasing of his answer and a press release, it still remains unclear how he feels about that very simple question that Etheridge posed.

Logo has made the entire forum available online, organized by both issue and candidate.

Posted by Zac James

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, celebrity, television

Tammy Faye Messner, March 7, 1942 - July 20, 2007. After a long fought battle with terminal cancer, Tammy Faye has passed away.

From CNN: Tammy Faye Messner, the former televangelist and Christian singer who battled drug addiction and later inoperable cancer, died Friday morning, CNN's Larry King said Saturday night. He said the family had asked him to make the delayed announcement. She was 65.

"She died peacefully," King said.

Messner was a guest on "Larry King Live" on Thursday. She said she couldn't swallow food, and weighed only 65 pounds.

King asked her Thursday if she were "a little scared."

She responded, "A little bit," adding that she mainly worried about her family.

Watching her on CNN's Larry King earlier in the week was very difficult, although her spirit and humor was still shining through as she did her best to make it through the hour interview.

Tammy Faye, you will be missed.

Labels: celebrity, straight allies

Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington is in some hot water again for using the foul anti-gay slur "faggot" in regards to fellow co-star T.R. Knight. Back in October he used the word "faggot" in regards to T.R. Knight--who is openly gay. Then, recently at a post-Golden Globes press conference, when a reporter asked him about it, he denied he ever said it--while again using the word "faggot". Yet in the apology released today by ABC, he fully admits his use of the slur.

Isaiah's statement:

"I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on "Grey's Anatomy." I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help.

I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect, I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I've hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I've opened.

T.R.'s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity."

The news and blogs are going crazy with the story, so here is the round-up including links to blogs and video coverage of the story. Today, Isaiah via ABC (I assume to cover their own ass) released an apology "from Isaiah Washington".

Video of the post-Golden Globes press conference:


Links:

ABC Must Fire Isaiah Washington Over Anti-gay Remarks

Isaiah Washington Apologizes for Anti-Gay Remarks

ABC Taking The Right Steps!

Labels: celebrity, television

Lance Bass and Reichen Lehmkuhl have ended their relationship, Bass's spokesperson has confirmed to PEOPLE.

"We remain the best of friends," the pair said in a joint exclusive statement to PEOPLE. "Please respect our privacy as we try to work things out during this difficult time."

Recent speculation that the pair had broken up began after Bass was spotted without Lehmkuhl at a party on Friday at Pure Nightclub in Las Vegas.

Bass, 27, first revealed his relationship with Lehmkuhl, 32, when he admitted he was gay on the cover of PEOPLE in July. "I'm more liberated and happy than I've been my whole life," Bass said at the time. "I'm just happy."

In July, the former 'N Sync star said that he and Lehmkuhl had been dating for a few months, and that the two were friends first. "Actually, it's funny, he was my real estate agent," Bass told PEOPLE.

Lehmkuhl, a model-actor-Amazing Race winner, was equally enthusiastic - and supportive of Bass's decision to come out and publicly discuss their relationship. "I'm just really proud of Lance and the decision he made," he told PEOPLE. "He did it all on his own and I just stood by and supported him. It's just been great."

Despite rumors that the couple were having problems, Bass told PEOPLE in August, "We are very happy."

During their relationship, the two made many public appearances together, including red-carpet events and Lehmkuhl's book release party for his memoir Here's What We'll Say: Growing Up, Coming Out, and the U.S. Air Force Academy, in which he writes about his experience of being gay in the military. "I was the first one to read it," Bass told PEOPLE last month.

via People

Labels: celebrity, lance bass

TR Knight has been spotted with what some (another) are speculating is his new beau. None other than Brothers and Sisters actor Luke MacFarlane.

Now, as much as I hate the tabloids and the Bennifer syndrome... they sure are cute together. On the other hand there is absolutely no reason why two guys, one gay, one straight can't simply be out shopping together. So until there is official word...

Labels: celebrity

The wingnuts are all up-in-arms about the kiss between the two boys last night on Desperate Housewives. They're all over the ABC message boards spreading filth and hypocrisy. It's so funny how they all love the show when it has infidelity, murder, suicide, scantily clad women and blackmail... but WHOA!!! A gay kiss? No way!

One post from the message board with the title "Disgusting homosexuals" reads:

How come ABC and other mainstream media organizations continue to force homosexuality of 2% of the country down our throats? Maybe it represents the majority of the entertainment companies. It is easy to turn channels and we will if that storyline continues.

Give me a break people. If you are so concerned, then take your indecisive, pick-and-choose morals somewhere else. By the way, I'm pretty sure that the 2% figure is a bit higher. A bit over 10%. So, I assume because the percentage of men who admit to cheating on their spouse is nearly 45%, (via New York Times poll taken in 2000) that makes the infidelity on Desperate Housewives much more acceptable? There was my rant.

So anyway - in case you missed it...


Above: Ryan Carnes (Justin) and Shawn Pyfrom (Andrew)

Posted by Bryan Harding

Labels: celebrity, entertainment