GQ Recognizes Gay Dads for Father's Day

This is good stuff. In GQ's latest issue, they've done a spread called "a GQ Guide to Being a 21st Century Dad", a sort of stylish guide to parenting for the modern man.

Hats off to GQ, for including without any preface or explanation, Vernon Scott and Martin Lofsnes, and their five-year-old son Demian Lofsnes-Scott in an eight-page fashion spread highlighting fathers and sons. At a time when diverse families are not only demonized by the right but often set apart as 'special' by the left as well, it's refreshing to see this approach being taken to families with same-sex parents.

"Nine real fathers, joined by their kids, ditch the dad jeans and sport the season's best new shorts."

Check it out in the June issue.

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Pentagon Sought "Gay Bomb" Says Watchdog Group

Pentagon officials confirmed that in 1994 the U.S. Military considered and then rejected a proposal to build a "hormone bomb" that would transform enemy soldiers into homosexuals and make them more interested in having sex with one another than fighting.

Said Edward Hammond, of Berkeley's Sunshine Project, a watchdog group tracking military spending:

"The Ohio Air Force lab proposed that a bomb be developed that contained a chemical that would cause enemy soldiers to become gay, and to have their units break down because all their soldiers became irresistibly attractive to one another. The notion was that a chemical that would probably be pleasant in the human body in low quantities could be identified, and by virtue of either breathing or having their skin exposed to this chemical, the notion was that soldiers would become gay."

The Air Force lab requested $7.5 million to research the gay bomb. And while the military says the notion was ruled out quickly, Hammond says there was more consideration involved: "The truth of the matter is it would have never come to my attention if it was dismissed at the time it was proposed. In fact, the Pentagon has used it repeatedly and subsequently in an effort to promote non-lethal weapons, and in fact they submitted it to the highest scientific review body in the country for them to consider."

Of course the whole thing fits perfectly with the military's misguided philosophy that having gay soldiers within the ranks leads to loss of morale and unit cohesion.

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Gavin Newsom's Maupin Tribute: Tuesday is Michael Tolliver Day in SF

Those who don't read Armistead Maupin may have no idea who Michael Tolliver is, but those who do may be thrilled that a new story in the saga of "Mouse" has arrived on bookstore shelves.

The celebrated Tales of the City author is back with another volume called Michael Tolliver Lives.

Maupin told the San Francisco Chronicle, which originally serialized the Tales series beginning way back in 1976, that he was initially scared of his approach: "I was nervous that people following the series might be thrown off by a first-person novel that has all the characters treated equally."

He says that the main themes of the book deal with getting older:

"I wanted to illuminate the process of growing older as a gay man, and make it easier for people who think life is over. Gay men who are growing old are incredibly lucky to be here....if I'd known that 63 was going to feel this good, I would have been a lot more cheerful along the way. Age is the last closet you come out of in the gay world. There are such gloomy visions of gay men aging. But if you worship beauty above all else, if you worship sex above all else, you're in trouble. If you're not working on your heart every second, you are going to have a very sad old age."

Maupin lives with his partner Christopher Turner who is 27 years his junior. The age difference is a fact that doesn't phase Maupin in the least, he told afterElton last August:

"I think [aging is] the central issue of our generation. There are a lot of people out there who are trying to figure out how to be good old gay people — how to do it well, how to be the best you can for your age. In my case that has to do with trying to be the best version of 62 I can imagine. Not to try and recreate something I felt I had 30 years ago. Interestingly enough, my partner, Christopher, runs a personals website for men over 40. I actually met him on the site. I saw this handsome 34-year-old there that made my heart beat faster. I bumped into him in the street a few months later and asked him for a date."

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declared Tuesday "Michael Tolliver Day" in San Francisco.

Michael Tolliver Lives [amazon]

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Armistead Maupin: How to Live Well at any Age [tr]

According to the Chronicle, "Armistead Maupin will appear (today) at 7 p.m. at Books Inc., Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco, (415) 776-1111, www.booksinc.net."

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News: Patrick Dempsey, Heimlich AIDS Cure, Paris Hilton, Twins

Paris Hilton sends prison plea to the public: "During the past several days, I have had a lot of time to reflect and have already learned a bitter, but important lesson from this experience...I must also say that I was shocked to see all of the attention devoted to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things, like the men and women serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world."

Patrick Dempsey the pink princess.

Separated at birth: Anderson Cooper and porn star Mike Power?

Inventor of Heimlich maneuver floats new theory: cure AIDS by injecting patients with malaria. "'We allow the malaria to run for three weeks, and then we cure it,' says Dr. Heimlich, now 87 years-old. In a study commissioned by Dr. Heimlich, eight human subjects have already been injected with a form of malaria in China in the 1990s, and he is now involved with a research project involving AIDS patients in Ethiopia who are initially left untreated for malaria with available medicines. 'It gives off substances that strengthen their immune systems,' says Dr. Heimlich. But leading AIDS researchers and medical ethicists say they are appalled. 'It is scientifically unsound, and I think it would be ethically questionable,' said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, who has been seeking a cure for AIDS since it was first identified in the 1980s."

Moscow Gay Pride organizer Nikolay Alexeyev fined 1,000 rubles: "The court session looked like a farce. The judge refused to admit photo and video evidence proving that we had not disturbed law and order." Background...

Most-ever politicians march in Albany Gay Pride as legislature considers gay marriage measure: " Thirty-five groups and about 300 marchers participated in Sunday's parade, which was sponsored by the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council. Keith Hornbrook, executive director of the Council, said it was the biggest parade yet, drawing marchers from Glens Falls, New Paltz and Bennington, Vt. The rally at Washington Park after the parade was attended by Mayor Jerry Jennings and six other politicians -- the most ever, Hornbrook said."

JFK Jr.'s "numerous bisexual encounters" detailed in new book: "I know he was attracted to me because when we danced he played with my a - - and stuff. He kissed me on the dance floor, and I kissed him back."

Cyndi Lauper wows at opening of True Colors tour. Some excellent coverage over at NewNowNext.

Live at the Gyllenhaal's for $20,000 month. Jake not included.

Check out these initial reactions from Mac fanatics to the iPod introductionback in 2001: "hey - heres an idea Apple - rather than enter the world of gimmicks and toys, why dont you spend a little more time sorting out your pathetically expensive and crap server line up? or are you really aiming to become a glorified consumer gimmicks firm?"

World's first identical twins born to two different women.

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Trouble in Claynation: Battle Over Aiken's Sexuality

According to Page Six, the natives of Claynation have become restless, locked in a battle "between the batty members that are still clinging to their heterosexual fantasies of him and others that don't harbor such illusions."

The unrest has shut down the message board at Clayonline.com, says the paper:

"Due to reports of extensive unrest and disrespect amongst members that has been carrying on for several weeks, the Official Fan Club Message Board will be shut down until further notice. Please note that should tensions continue on other areas of the fan club, severe consequences may occur."

What is really needed here is a Goodwill Ambassador. Oh, wait...

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Rabbis Place Curse on Jerusalem Gay Pride Participants

Once again, ultra-orthodox Haredi jews are doing everything they can to put a stop to a planned gay rights rally in Jerusalem, including placing a curse on those who participate.

A group of rabbis from the extremist anti-Zionist Eda Haredit sect issued this warning on Sunday:

"To all those involved, sinners in spirit, and whoever helps and protects them, may they feel a curse on their souls, may it plague them and may evil pursue them; they will not be requitted of their transgressions from heavenly judgment."

Ynet News reports: "The Edah Haredit is an extreme body which has declared ideological warfare against the "heretic Zionist government." Its members shun Knesset votes, do not carry Israeli ID cards, and refuse allowances from the government budget. Edah Haredit rabbis warned Sunday that anyone who participates in the gay parade will be hurt 'in body, soul and finances.' The rabbis threatened participants citing the 'success' of previous curses: 'Know what happened to the evil persons who were cursed, and thus feel in your souls that your end will be bitter,' the statement read. 'We are in a grave situation,' wrote the editor of the Edah Haredit mouthpiece, Rabbi Shmuel Pappenheim. In placing the curse, 'The Badatz acceded judgment to the heavens; they will be dealt with there.'"

Police have given organizers preliminary approval to hold the event but said it is still possible that it could be revoked if law enforcement feels that resulting violence would be too disruptive.

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Bomb Explodes to Protest Jerusalem Gay Pride, Injures One [tr]
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Riots, Protests Against Gay Pride Parade Intensify in Jerusalem [tr]

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Alen Kostelac Crowned Mr. Croatia 2007

In Croatia they have pageants for both the men and the women, and this weekend Alen Kostelac was crowned Mr. Croatia 2007 in Zagreb.

Said Kostelac: "I primarily feel very tired. The competition was so strong that nobody could say for certain who will be Mr Croatia. Since I won the title, I will model primarily for financial reasons."

Some of the other contestants appear below. Somehow I don't think many would object being asked to judge such a contest.

And then of course, there's the Croatian National Water Polo League.

(image source)

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Gus van Sant to Trip Out on Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

Gus van Sant is set to direct Tom Wolfe's LSD road trip chronicle, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.

Variety reports: "The book told the story of a cross-country road trip that One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest author Ken Kesey orchestrated with a group called the Merry Pranksters. Driving in a psychedelically painted bus from California to visit the World's Fair in New York in 1964, Kesey and his band used the trip as a way to turn on those they met to the mind-expanding wonders of LSD. Kesey ingested the drug while he wrote Cuckoo's Nest, crediting the hallucinogen for many of the ideas in the book. Shortly after the Wolfe book was published in 1967, its film rights were purchased by entrepreneur Alfred Roven. Not a film producer, Roven had some meetings over the years with filmmakers but was very protective. When he died, Roven left the rights to his children, Daryn and Alison Roven. FilmColony's Gladstein was introduced to them by attorney Peter Grossman, and for the first time, the rights were entrusted to a producer."

Van Sant has enlisted Lance Black, with whom he's currently working on one of the two competing Harvey Milk biopics in development, to write the script.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test [amazon]

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Ricky Martin's Puerto Rican Parade: It's Good to be King

Ricky Martin made a ride down New York's Fifth Avenue on Sunday as King of the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. The NYT reports, "There were the requisite celebrities, including Geraldo Rivera; Jennifer Lopez and her husband, Marc Anthony; and Ricky Martin, so idolized that the organizers anointed him not the grand marshal of the parade, but the 'king.'"

He was joined by tens of thousands of his compatriots.

Said Martin prior to the event: "The opportunity to share with many Puerto Ricans, remembering our island, and waving a sea of Puerto Rican flags will be an incredible experience. There are Puerto Ricans in politics, in the Army, in art and business that have made a great contribution to the United States. We are a generous people, and we are strong in the face of adversity. We are a glad, enthusiastic town with a great sense of unity."

And several well-defined sets of abs as well.

Photos via A Socialite's Life and Just Jared, where you can find plenty more.

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First-Timer David Hyde Pierce Among Tony Award Winners

David Hyde Pierce came out publicly last week, just in time to be able to thank his partner at the Tony Awards. In an unexpected win, the three-time Emmy Award winner took home his first Tony for his role as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi in Curtains, beating out favorite Raul Esparza.

Hyde Pierce noted his significant other at the end of his acceptance speech, joking: "My partner Brian - cause it's 24 years of listening to your damn notes. That's why I'm up here tonight."

A full list of Tony Award winners follows after the jump...

Full List of Tony Award winners...

Spring Awakening - best musical, score, book of a musical (Steven Sater), director of a musical (Michael Mayer), featured actor of a musical (John Gallagher Junior), lighting design of a musical (Kevin Adams), choreography (Bill T Jones), and orchestrations (Duncan Sheik).

The Coast of Utopia - best play, director of a play (Jack O'Brien), featured actor of a play (Billy Crudup), featured actress of a play (Jennifer Ehle), scenic design of a play (Bob Crowley and Scott Pask), costumes of a play (Catherine Zuber), and lighting design of a play (Brian MacDevitt, Kenneth Posner and Natasha Katz).

Grey Gardens - best actress of a musical (Christine Ebersole), featured actress of a musical (Mary Louise Wilson), costumes of a musical (William Ivey Long).

Curtains - best actor of a musical (David Hyde Pierce).

Company - best revival of a musical.

Frost/Nixon - best actor of a play (Frank Langella).

The Little Dog Laughed - best actress of a play (Julie White).

Mary Poppins - best scenic design of a musical (Bob Crowley).

Journey's End - best revival of a play.

Jay Johnson: The Two and Only - best special theatrical event.

Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia - Regional Theatre Tony Award.

(via Times Online)

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Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick First to March with Pride

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick became the first governor of that state to march in a gay pride parade on Saturday which he did alongside his daughter Katherine and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

Patrick is working feverishly, along with other lawmakers, to sway the legislature and keep a divisive proposal to ban gay marriage in that state off the ballot. The measure comes up for a vote this week.

From WCVB in Boston: "The man who will be under the gun will be House Speaker Sal DiMasi, a supporter of gay marriage. He has three days before a scheduled Constitutional Convention to convince enough lawmakers to vote against the proposed amendment. Back in January, when the plan won enough votes to move forward, most of the votes came from the House, but the margin in favor of the ban has narrowed, according to newspaper reports. Thursday, it would take at least 50 votes or one quarter of the Legislature, to vote in favor of the amendment for it to move forward. It must be approved in two consecutive sessions to win a place on the ballot."

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Massachusetts Gov Deval Patrick Steps Up Support for Gays [tr]
Massachusetts Gov Warns of "Circus" Over Anti-gay Amendment [tr]
Massachusetts Gov. Patrick Orders 26 Gay Marriages Recorded [tr]
Rhode Island to Recognize Massachusetts Gay Marriages [tr]
Judge: Gay Rhode Island Couple can Marry in Massachusetts [tr]

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Jake Gyllenhaal Joins Rufus Wainwright in Surprise NYC Appearance

Rufus Wainwright has been hosting special guests at his concerts during performances of the track "Between My Legs" from his new album Release the Stars. At Friday night's show at Gramercy Hall, folks were shocked when Jake Gyllenhaal appeared from behind the curtain.

Jake took on a spoken word portion of the song that comes near the end. There are rumors that Gyllenhaal is looking for a proper theater gig in NYC. So this may have just been a warm-up.

"Between My Legs" — Rufus Wainwright

(image source, source)

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Stones, Tear Gas Mark Gay Pride Rally in Bucharest, Romania

Approximately 500 marchers at a gay rights rally in Bucharest, Romania were met by hundreds of protesters who hurled stones, eggs, tomatoes, and trash at them in an effort to break up the march. Thankfully, over 700 officers were in place to protect those marching. They held off the violence with tear gas and arrests.

Police spokesman Christian Ciocan told Reuters: "No one was hurt during the parade, we detained dozens of violent (any-gay) protesters." Monsters and Critics reports that " The attackers were not identified as part of any organized group, though authorities suspect connections to a right-wing religious association Noua Dreapta, or the New Right, which rallied Saturday morning against the gay-rights march later in the day."

Police also reportedly thwarted an attack on Tuesday, according to the Guardian: "Two men leaving a Bucharest cinema that hosts the annual "Gay Fest" festival were beaten by eight attackers. Police stopped the attack and arrested several people."

Half of those arrested were juveniles, police reported. They will face fines for disturbing the peace. Romania decrimialized homosexuality in 2001 as part of reforms intended to facilitate their entry into the European Union.

Past Gay Prides in Romania...
Second Gay Pride in Romania a Violent Affair [tr - 2006]
Romania holds its first Gay Pride March [tr - 2005]

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