Postcard from Bali

Our friend Lewis Payton has been overseas working on a photography project and sent us a special postcard of his latest subject, Andre.

Lewis writes, "Bali is incredible! The tourism industry here took a huge hit after the terrorist bombings of 2002 and 2005, so I wanted to come here and show the world (well at least the readers of Towleroad and DNA!) what an extraordinarily beautiful culture and country the Balinese have. Unlike the rest of Indonesia, which is predominately Muslim, most of Bali's population are Hindu, and this spiritual faith is on evidence throughout the island. This has been the most special shoot I've ever experienced."

You can look forward to next week when you'll be seeing more of Andre on these pages.

What's Andre saying? Oh yeah, we have T-shirts again for those who are interested!
Info here.

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Fla Rep. Bob Allen to Fight Solicitation Charges, Plead Not Guilty

Florida State Representative Bob Allen (R-Merritt Island) said at a news conference that he's not guilty of solicitation charges stemming from an encounter with a male undercover cop in a men's restroom in Titusville, Florida. He vowed to fight the charges, Local6.com reports. (video)

I've transcribed Allen's statement:

"The political process and the legal process has different communication styles and requirements. As a person in the political arena that is a representative of people, I tend to want to talk about each and every detail, to give a response to each and every item, and let it be known the truth will be coming out. But I have to follow the legal process because I've been put into a legal process...

...I wish this situation to no one or any family. My wife, Beth and I, and my daughter have grown closer in the last 48 hours than we thought imaginable. She is doing the right thing with my daughter in getting her ready for college, and luckily, has sent her support and she will be giving her own statements later. But she wanted to say thank you, thank you, and I say thank you to the numerous supporters that we have had call from around the state. My colleagues in office - senators, congressmen, legislators, and members and citizens across the whole state that I've gotten calls from - especially my district. Their thoughts and prayers have been extended and I tell ya that's the power that it takes to win and fight this battle...

...I am filing a not guilty plea. I am vigorously going to fight this. I am not resigning my office because the people who elected me want me to do a good job and I am going to do a good job for them in finishing this term. Any others, or political shenanigans they try to tell you...other things about this is not. This is an ugly and unpleasant situation that has been thrust on me and my family. It is not true. It is unaccurate, and it is therefore not guilty...and I will be standing strongly for that. And for people who have been standing with me and my family, (tears up) it is appreciated. You've done a good job in trying to get the news out...

...People tend to take the fast news and make fast conclusions. I would ask people not to jump to any conclusions on this. To be fair, and slow down, and look at it. The legal process is slow and makes you look at each individual piece. That's why I cannot answer details today as much as I would like to. And there are many details that they will lose the burden of proof. Thank you."

Allen, the Republican co-chair of John McCain's Florida Presidential campaign, was also the author of failed Florida House Bill #1475, the 'Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Act' which "would have tightened the state's prohibition of public sex."

One more thing: If you're interested in reading the arrest report, here it is.

Previously
GOP Florida State Rep. Allen Charged in Gay Oral Sex Solicitation [tr]
Florida Rep. Bob Allen to Discuss Men's Room Activities [tr]

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Firefighters Hose Rudy Giuliani in New Spot

The International Association of Firefighters, which Giuliani denounces, saying the group "only supports Democratic presidential candidates," has released Rudy Giuliani: Urban Legend, a video that rips the former NYC Mayor's health and safety record with regard to the heroes of 9/11.

Giuliani supporters are saying the intent of the video is reminiscent of the "Swiftboating" of John Kerry.

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Suicide of Former Mr. Gay Derry Shocks Northern Ireland City

Eamon Johnston, Mr. Gay Derry 2003 and a favorite to win the Mr. Gay UK competition that year, was found dead in his home yesterday in an apparent suicide.

While the death on its own is tragic, 22-year-old Johnston is the eighth young person to commit suicide there in recent months.

The Rainbow Group, an LGBT support group in Northern Ireland, reportedly canceled its summer plans to close for the holidays in light of Johnston's death.

Said staff member David McCartney: "At this time, the thoughts of everyone here at The Rainbow Project are very much with the family and friends of Eamon. This event has sent waves of shock throughout both the gay and wider community, many of whom are struggling to comprehend what is happening. A sudden death of this nature traumatises communities in a way that is indescribable and causes immense emotional pain for those left behind. We are acutely aware of the vulnerability of those that knew Eamon and the need for support at this time. We urge anyone for whom this is having an impact to come and talk to us in confidence. Our door is open to anyone that would like to talk."

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Florida Rep. Bob Allen to Discuss Men's Room Activities

Republican Florida Representative Bob Allen says he'll hold a press conference later today to discuss his arrest and the charges he solicited oral sex from a male police officer in a public men's room for $20.

So, expect a lot of the Straight Talk Express later today because it was also revealed today that Allen is co-chair of John McCain's campaign for President in Florida. Perhaps Allen should just blame it on the 'gay polo' he was wearing.

The revelations come just days after it was revealed that the "pro-family" chair of Rudy Giuliani's Southern campaign, David Vitter, was a client of the "D.C. Madam".

you may have missed...
GOP Florida State Rep. Allen Charged in Gay Oral Sex Solicitation [tr]
GOP 'Protector' of Marriage David Vitter Found on DC Madam's List [tr]

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News: Wii Fit, Giant Squid, Beckham Invasion, Larry Flynt, Mika

Larry Flynt's investigators are currently looking into at least 20 high-profile political sex scandals, some of which involve "high ranking Republican and Democrat members of the Senate and the House."

Mika shows off cartoons from Life in Cartoon Motion in London exhibit.

Bush's policies have made Al Qaeda a powerhouse again: "Six years after the Bush administration declared war on al-Qaeda, the terrorist network is gaining strength and has established a safe haven in remote tribal areas of western Pakistan for training and planning attacks, according to a new Bush administration intelligence report to be discussed today at a White House meeting. The report, a five-page threat assessment compiled by the National Counterterrorism Center, is titled 'Al-Qaida Better Positioned to Strike the West,' intelligence officials said. It concludes that the group has significantly rebuilt itself despite concerted U.S. attempts to smash the network."

This should be common sense, but one shouldn't walk through a thunderstorm while listening to your iPod.

British invasion: Beckhams arrive at Heathrow for flight to Los Angeles.

Adult film maven Michael Lucas to lose his trademark pout.

Navigating the linguistic seas of cross-cultural slurs: "Language is always guilty. What could be more common than the verb ''get''? We Cubans use coger for anything that is taken, held, grasped, grabbed, etc., while in other Hispanic countries, the verb has the lubricious meaning implicit in 'I`m gonna get you.' In much stronger terms. In the lands that first identified the syndrome we call 'machismo' (as a malaise, I should add), words for homosexual abound. Sometimes they are as simple as the Spanish for 'bird' or 'duck,' which lend themselves to endless wordplay. Through the process known in literary studies as metonymy, there are pejorative allusions to gayness, such as 'one can see his feathers,' i.e. he is a bird, meaning queer. 'Bird,' as we all know, is British slang for 'chick.' And that word in Spanish, pollo, is archaic Cuban slang one can hear in old Beny Moré songs in which the great singer brags about how chicks dig him. And these are only the vicissitudes of staying within one language."

David Mixner recalls lunch with Lady Bird Johnson.

Orlando Bloom says he won't be getting naked on the London stage, although it might help if the play he was performing in actually had any opportunities for nudity.

Giant squid washes up on Tasmanian beach: "one of the biggest ever found, weighing in at 250 kilograms, with a cross-section as big as a truck tyre and longer than a station wagon."

Scientists spot planet with water outside our solar system: " But the planet itself would be hell for humans. Orbiting cheek by jowel to the star, at a distance that is 30 times closer than that between the Earth and the Sun, parts of the planet's atmosphere reach 2,000 degrees Celsius (3,600 degrees Fahrenheit). This seething temperature is reached on the side of the planet that always faces the star. By comparison, the other side of the planet is relatively balmy, with a low of 500 C (932 F). Tinetti's team used NASA's Spitzer orbiting telescope, using its infrared sensors to pick out the tiny signature that occurs when water vapour absorbs light from a star."

The man forever associated with Ted Haggard has something to say in Colorado Springs.

Do you have a lot of moles? You may have a better chance of living longer.

Wii Fit prepares to combat couch potato-ism: "The title is set to include more than forty different activities, from aerobics to yoga poses to muscle conditioning, and it will even measure your BMI. Plus, as can be seen in the trailer, there are a number of other fun minigames -- yes, we know, minigames on the Wii! -- that also serve to improve balance and coordination." The videogame system may soon be #1 worldwide.

And a very happy birthday today to Trent, our friend at Pink is the New Blog!

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Surgeon General Nominee Holsinger Says He's Not Anti-Gay

Surgeon General nominee Dr. James Holsinger was questioned at a Senate confirmation hearing today about the 1991 paper he wrote on health and homosexuality in which he warned of "the dangers of 'anal eroticism'".

Wrote Holsinger in the paper: "In fact, the logical complementarity of the human sexes has been so recognized in our culture that it has entered our vocabulary in the form of naming various pipe fittings either the male fitting or the female fitting depending upon which one interlocks within the other. When the complementarity of the sexes is breached, injuries and diseases may occur..." (The full document is available here)

Senator Edward Kennedy told the panel: "Dr. Holsinger's paper is ideological and decidedly not an accurate analysis of the science then available on homosexuality. Dr. Holsinger's paper cherry picks and misuses data to support his thesis that homosexuality is unhealthy and unnatural."

According to the Associated Press, Holsinger said the paper was non-scientific and "relied on the information available to him at the time." Said the candidate: "First of all, the paper does not represent where I am today. It does not represent who I am today. I've worked diligently to provide quality health care to everyone regardless of personal characteristics including sexual orientation."

He added: I don't think there is a place in my life as a physician to do anything inimical [to a person based on their personal or sexual characteristics]...Let me be clear: I have profound respect for the essential human dignity of all people, regardless of background or sexual orientation. I pledge to you to continue that commitment especially if I am confirmed as surgeon general.''

Following claims this week by Dr. Richard Carmona, the former surgeon general, that the Bush administration muzzled him on key issues in which his statements might affect policy, Holsinger told the panel that he would not allow politics to trump science.

Said Holsinger: "I think I have a clear response to that. I would resign."

you may have missed...
Surgeon General Nominee Holsinger Has Broad Anti-gay Bias [tr]
As Holsinger is Scrutinized, Former Top Doc Says White House Muzzled Him [tr]

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #151

MICHAEL MOORE: Part Two of Blitzer's Sicko interview with Michael Moore. Part One here.

SLIMMING: Check out how an owl reacts to a Jack-in-the-Box.

INTESTINAL RUMBLINGS: Keith Olbermann comments on Michael Chertoff's "gut feeling" about a terrorist attack this summer. (source: virtual matter)

URETHRAL RUMBLINGS: Bear Grylls demonstrates how to survive in the Kimberly, in Australia's outback. From the lastest Man vs. Wild.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here!

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Fashion Designer Yves Saint Laurent Hospitalized

Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent has been admitted to the American Hospital in Paris, WWD reports:

"Pierre Bergé, the legendary couturier's partner, said Saint Laurent was 'not doing well' and that he was beset with respiratory trouble. Saint Laurent also is having difficulty walking. Bergé, visibly emotional as he left the Quincy restaurant here after dinner Wednesday with close friends, including Betty Catroux, said doctors had yet to diagnose Saint Laurent's current health woes. Saint Laurent, who has long suffered from neuroses and often acute depression, retired from fashion in 2002 and has since led a somewhat secluded life. Poor health has limited his mobility and physical activities, including his ability to sketch."

He is expected to be released in the coming days. If you'll remember, the designer suffered a similar scare last October, collapsing after a Paris show of the label that bears his name.

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Shemar Moore Makes Splash in Hawaii

You may have heard that the National Enquirer recently published some censored photos of former soap star Shemar Moore allegedly frolicking in the surf at a gay beach in Hawaii. Moore currently plays FBI Special Agent Derek Morgan on CBS' Criminal Minds.

The uncensored versions have arrived. (WARNING: NSFW)
(via dlisted)

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Morrissey Has it Out for Madonna

An angry Morrissey reportedly slammed Madonna at his concert last night in Norfolk, Virginia: "I wouldn't be surprised if she [Madonna] made that African boy into a coat and wore him ... for 15 minutes, and then threw it away." He also told the crowd, "You haven't even heard what I'm gratified about yet. I'm very gratified to be so close to the international headquarters of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals."

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O'Reilly: San Diego Padres Gay Night is "Social Engineering"

Bill O'Reilly hissed at the San Diego Padres' decision to offer hats to kids on the same night they were having a gay night, accusing the baseball team of "social engineering".

Rex Wockner reports on the "Christian" presence (about 75 picketed before the game started) and the performance of the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus:

"Chorus member Fergal O'Doherty told me: 'The crowd cheered when we marched out. Rainbow flags were visible waving in every section. There was no audible booing or hissing, to our shock and surprise. It was a breeze. [T]he Christian wackos from El Cajon were so few in number and so pathetic on TV, using worn out sound-bite platitudes like 'lifestyle' and 'protect our children,' to the yawns and boredom of all present.'"

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"Gay" Blocked as Legitimate Surname at Facebook

The social networking website Facebook has reportedly blocked its users from entering the name "Gay" as a surname when registering for the popular site (at least in Australia), the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"It's been revealed that the popular website - which boasts it has more than 30 million members from around the world - does not allow people with the common Anglo Saxon surname Gay to join, assuming it is not a legitimate name. After a story in New Zealand's Dominion Post about 30-year-old Rowena Gay, who was denied entry to site because of her last name, smh.com.au undertook a test and found a person with the last name Gay was indeed not allowed to join. 'Please enter a legitimate name,' the website stated during our attempt. And while the website refused Gay, it had no problem allowing us to join with the last name Hitler."

The paper talked with Australian lawmaker Duncan Gay about the issue: "That's a bit tough, it's pretty ordinary ... it bothers me to the extent that quite often when you give your name you get a twitter. People looking and smirking. This is a continuation of that. While it wasn't tough for me, particularly for my son going through school, with the name ... if they're removing Gay from [Facebook] it becomes a problem for my family. I'm not ruling out protesting vigorously about this."

Pictured, American sprinter Tyson Gay, who may also have a problem with it.

Facebook blocks Gay surname [sydney morning herald]
Gay? Facebook Says No. [same same]

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