Towleroad Talking Points: Tax Returns, Homer Simpson and LiLo

BY SAM GREISMAN

A look back at today's big stories

After months of discussion over the lack of full disclosure regarding his taxes, Mitt Romney has decided to release his 2011 tax return. It seems the Romney campaign is trying to change the headlines, which of late have been mostly about Romney's flubs. 

There was more unfortunate news for the Romney/Ryan camp today however. Paul Ryan made an appearance at the AARP Convention and suffice to say his speech didn't go over that well. Also Dan Savage believes that Romney is a homophobe. Not that Romney would care that much probably. 

At the very least Romney can count on Homer Simpson's vote. 

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There is a marriage equality referendum on the ballot in Washington State this November and the Catholic Church in the state is not too pleased. The Archbishop of Seattle released a video in which he says he believes that society would be "harmed beyond repair" if it were to pass. Yikes!

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Former President Bill Clinton's speech during the Democratic National Convention a few weeks ago was by most accounts a big success. Check out what Clinton himself had to say about it with Jon Stewart last night. 

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Paris Hilton was in the news yesterday, for the first time in awhile, and made a variety of disparaging comments about gay people. Well today she apologized and said she loves us. How great. 

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Sarah Silverman has a new message for the GOP and their attempt to disenfranchise voters. Check it out here. Go Sarah!

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Video of the Day: Check out the first promo for Lindsay Lohan as Liz Taylor. Who wants to have a viewing party?

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 9.21.12

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / JOSH APPELBAUM

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

This week's OXD Mirror will feature some new edits of a few throwbacks and of course some new original tracks as well.  A lot of this week's tracks are free downloads - so enjoy the free tunes!

 

The Limit: 'She's So Divine (Estate Rework)'

As history would have it, Disco music suffered a quick but painful death at the end of the 70's.  The Limit was a Dutch production duo that came about in the post-disco era from the early to mid 80s.  Their music had a sound that could be interpreted as either behind the times or way ahead of the curve; it evokes the days of disco but includes a sophisticated electronic production reminiscent of Daft Punk. Though 'She's So Divine' was released in 1982 on Arista Records, it never charted.  Electro funk group Estate has taken this oft-forgotten production and revamped it for 2012, creating a version that is smooth and funky and inspires lots of hip shaking and body movement.

Fleetwood Mac: 'Dreams (Psychemagik Remix)'

Legendary band Fleetwood Mac has an appeal that spans across many generations.  Their only #1 hit (and my personal favorite) was 'Dreams', recorded during the tumultuous recording period for their hit album Rumours.  Stevie Nicks wrote this song in response to ex-lover and bandmate Lindsey Buckingham, who had just brushed her off with his self-penned song for the band, 'Go Your Own Way'.  The original track is morose and understated; British DJs Psychemagik add a slick, chic backing to the song and play around with vocals, extending them out in certain parts to highlight the depth of Stevie Nicks' voice.

Chordashian: 'Illusion'

Cleverly-named NYC duo Chordashian have been together since 2011 and have kept busy by remixing work from other artists and DJing after releasing their debut EP Don't Wait Up earlier this year.  'Illusion' is an original song that samples Madonna's standout track from the Confessions era, 'Get Together'.  The song showcases Chordashian's production skills that helped them gain notoriety in the nu-disco scene, with sophistication and complexity that is wise beyond their years of experience.

ON TO THE NEW TRACKS, AFTER THE JUMP...

SBTRKT feat Sampha: 'Hold On (Burnski Desert Edit)'

London-based musician and producer SBTRKT (pronounced as "subtract") might want to remain anonymous (he even wears his signature tribal masks at performances), but he has worked with big names like M.I.A., Basement Jaxx, and Radiohead, and even produced his own original track with Jessie Ware on vocals.  His frequent vocal collaborator Sampha is featured on his latest track 'Hold On', a simple, vocally-infused track with xylophone chiming in between verses.  Berlin-based DJ and producer Burnski adds asoulful house beat to the track, creating a perfect sunset dancing tune and proving Burnski is more than just a pretty face.

Up Yours: 'Tonight'

Up Yours is a tag team of DJs Hifi Sean and Severino (from world-famous Horse Meat Disco) who are well known on the London disco and after hours scene . Their original house recording 'Tonight' showcases the London house music scene at its best, with plenty of drama and in-your-face beats.  The duo rejiggered the original version to create an "after hours" mix of the song; the sleek metropolitan feel has just enough vocals to keep the energy up at a dance party running until the wee hours in the morning.

Body Language: 'I'm A Mess'

After scoring a hit with last years 'Social Studies', multi-member music act Body Language is back with a new EP Grammar.  The Brooklyn-based act is now on tour to promote their new release, which features the ethereal space disco sound heard on their last album.  Although it is not the lead single, 'I'm a Mess' shines as a particularly unique album track: it's a sweet love song with a mellow, outer space dance beat. With 'Social Studies' getting the remix treatment from start producers like Plastic Plates, we are excited to see what reinterpretations are in store for all of the tracks from this EP.

 

OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD) curates and recommends music events to the gay community in NYC—in an effort to move the focus of the nightlife scene beyond the promoter and venue and to the music itself. OXD's goal is to educate, entertain, engage and empower the gay audience to reclaim their ability to question and experience the unknown. The OXD Mirror will serve to showcase tunes that are definitely off-the-beaten-path but rightfully deserve the attention of the gay ear. It's music that will make you dance, dream, and most importantly, love.

This week's post was written and curated by Josh Appelbaum.

For more information on OXD, check out our website and accompanying blog at www.occupythedisco.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter: @OccupyTheDisco.

Chick-fil-A CEO Says Company Never Agreed to Stop Making Anti-Gay Donations: '[We] Made No Such Concessions'

Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy told Mike Huckabee that contrary to reports announced this week by Chicago LGBT rights group The Civil Rights Agenda and Chicago alderman Joe Moreno, Chick-fil-A has NOT agreed to end its anti-gay donations.

Mike Huckabee writes on his website:

I talked earlier today personally with Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick Fil-A about the new reports that Chick Fil-A had capitulated to demands of the supporters of same sex marriage. This is not true. The company continues to focus on the fair treatment of all of its customers and employees, but to end confusion gave me this statement:

“There continues to be erroneous implications in the media that Chick-fil-A changed our practices and priorities in order to obtain permission for a new restaurant in Chicago. That is incorrect. Chick-fil-A made no such concessions, and we remain true to who we are and who we have been.”

Intel Cuts Off Funding to Boy Scouts of America Until Anti-Gay Policies are Dropped

Yesterday, Andrew reported on a campaign led by Eagle Scout Zach Wahls calling on Intel to end its funding of the Boy Scouts of America after it was discovered that the corporation had given the BSA nearly $700,000 in 2010.

The funding was in conflict with Intel Foundation's policies,  which stipulates that Intel will not fund "Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or disability status."

Today, after more than 30,000 people signed a petition started by Wahls, Intel announced that it would no longer be giving money to the BSA until it dropped its anti-gay policies.

Intel’s Chief Diversity Officer, Rosalind Hudnell told Think Progress that the company had adjusted its policies:

Due to significant growth in the number of organizations funded, earlier this year we revisited our policies associated with the program, and applied new rigor that requires any organization to confirm that it adheres to Intel’s anti-discrimination policy in order to receive funding.

Intel is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and to supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick in a statement:

"Intel joins current Boy Scouts of America Board Members, President Obama, Mitt Romney and hundreds of thousands of Americans in speaking out against the BSA's practice of unfairly kicking out gay scouts and scout leaders simply because of who they are. All of the great work that the BSA does to help young people will continue to be overshadowed by their blatant discrimination until they join other inclusive national organizations like the Girl Scouts of the USA and the 4-H Club. The time is now for the BSA to side with fairness, otherwise they will continue to see sponsors and scouting families drop their support."

Jill Biden Has Seen the Vice President Up Close: VIDEO

"I've heard the urgency in his voice when he comes..."

An unintentional 'big stick' joke on the New Hampshire campaign trail wins the day.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1213

LADY GAGA: Meets a fan backstage in Amsterdam.

MC BAMA: You didn't build that. Lyrics here.

FIELD GRENADE: Just another day playing football in Iraq.

DIANA VREELAND: The Eye Has to Travel, opening tonight in NY, L.A..

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.