Towleroad Guide to the Tube #363

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY: New Obama ad warns of a scary future.

JOHN KERRY: On John McCain. "He said he was going to interrupt his campaign to save the negotiations. Most people believe that what he did was interrupt the negotiations to save his campaign."

DENNIS KUCINICH: Kucinich blew his lid on the bailout deal on the House floor on Sunday afternoon.

HYPOCRISY ALERT: A video sent to blogger Mike Rogers on the hypocrisy of McCain and his gay chief of staff Mark Buse.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Kucinich Delivers 100,000 Impeachment Signatures to Pelosi

Last week, Dennis Kucinich delivered a petition with 100,000 signatures to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urging impeachment proceedings to begin.

Says Kucinich in a new video: "Just recently we've learned, again, that the White House was involved in trying to ocook the books at the CIA to try to create a phony link between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. We cannot let this pass. We cannot let it slide. We cannot stand by and watch the destruction of our Constitution even as this president is on his way out the door. There has to be accountability. Which is why this effort is continuing. Make no mistake about it. The effort towards accountability is not going to cease as we approach an election. It's not going to stop once the election's over, and it's not going to stop when a new president is sworn in. The Bush administration must be held accountable for the crimes they have committed."

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

As Crooks & Liars notes, due to the msm impeachment news blackout, most Americans have no idea a brief hearing on the issue even happened.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #330

DENNIS KUCINICH: Thanks to you, impeachment will be heard Friday.

GAVIN NEWSOM: Talking Points Memo interviewed San Francisco's mayor at Netroots Nation.

DESPERATE: John McCain says "it seems to me that Senator Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign." Smirks. Joe Klein: "I can't remember a more scurrilous statement by a major party candidate. It smacks of desperation."

YIKES: Bullfighting ring collapses in Colombia. Nobody was seriously hurt, except, perhaps those poor bulls later.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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News: West Side Story, Matt Dillon, Bush Golf, Ryan O'Meara

Former Olympic skater Ryan O'Meara: I'm gay.

Madonna in bid to reunited Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake for her Sticky & Sweet tour. If that doesn't work, maybe Justin could just play both of them.

Bush to attend McCain golf fundraiser. FLASHBACK: "Playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."

Sarah Jessica Parker whacked her mole.

Brisbane, Australia's gay, Aboriginal, and civil libertarian communities to march against Pope Benedict tomorrow: "We are protesting against the Pope's anti-queer, anti-abortion, anti-condom stance. The Pope is an extremely powerful and influential figure, who has called homosexuality 'an intrinsic moral evil', has said that abortion rights are a 'new holocaust', and who tells those in the midst of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa that contraception and sex education support a 'culture of death'."

Scores of Methodist ministers in California putting careers on the line to officiate same-sex weddings: "The pastors could lose their jobs and clerical credentials in the church, the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination. Ministers in Santa Monica, Claremont, Walnut Creek and other cities have already performed ceremonies for gays and lesbians or are planning to do so. In addition, 82 retired pastors in Northern California signed a resolution in June offering to perform such weddings on behalf of ministers who feel they can't do so themselves."

West Side Story revival to begin Broadway previews in 2009...

Barry Manilow: too thin?

Andrew Lloyd Webber reveals details of Phantom sequel at boozy UK bash.

Participants at the Anglican Lambeth Conference will be invited to take a walk on the gay side: "Peterson Toscano, who is also booked for the Edinburgh Festival and the Greenbelt Christian arts festival this summer, promises good humour and topicality when he takes to the stage at the Keynes Lecture Theatre at the University of Kent on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 July 2008, starting at 8pm. The lively theatrical performance activist will share his own spiritual story and experience, liberally sprinkled with excerpts from a play that tells how he survived the 'ex-gay' movement which has been encouraged in some Christian circles - 'Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House'. The performances will also include a 'question and answer' session."

Anti-gay protest at McDonald's goes pathetically.

Matt Dillon: open wide.

Afghanistan, Bid Laden first: The John McCain blunder nobody has discussed yet.

Al Gore to make ' moon shot' challenge on environment: "Just as John F. Kennedy set his sights on the moon, Al Gore is challenging the nation to produce every kilowatt of electricity through wind, sun and other Earth-friendly energy sources within 10 years, an audacious goal he hopes the next president will embrace...'I have never seen an opportunity for the country like the one that's emerging now,' Gore told The Associated Press in an interview previewing a speech on global warming he planned to give Thursday in Washington."

Dennis Kucinich's impeachment resolution moves forward, ever so slowly...

H&R Block offers $100 coupons or free TaxCut software to gay couples their software blocked from filing online: "Connecticut taxpayers Jason Smith and Settimio Pisu and the ACLU sent a demand letter last March to Block asking the tax preparer to stop penalizing gay couples because the software in use then didn’t support Connecticut civil union returns. Filers who encountered that problem were asked to contact a Block tax service office for help, for which higher fees were charged."

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News: Kucinich, Friedkin, Naugle, Gyllenhaal, Lieberman, McAvoy

A second gay candidate joins race for Mayor Naugle's seat in Fort Lauderdale: "Political newcomer Earl Rynerson, owner of a tile store, joins former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis as an openly gay mayoral hopeful. Rynerson said he wants to polish the city's image, which he said was tarnished by Naugle. Naugle last summer uttered a quote that was heard across gay America: 'I use the word homosexual. Most of them aren't gay; they're unhappy.'"

Jake Gyllenhaal stumbles out in London.

Nigerian bisexual woman faces deportation from Canada, fears persecution: "She fears for her life. If she goes back with her children, she has no one there. Her family has shunned her because she is bisexual. She doesn't have any money and nowhere to go. If she's arrested [her children] will be without a mother. They'll already face extreme discrimination because they were both born out of wedlock, and in fact, Samuel has already endured a lot of harassment while growing up there."

ABBA come together for Mamma Mia premiere in Stockholm for first time in 22 years.

AUSIELLO: Producers on The New Adventures of Old Christine plan to marry off Julia Louis Dreyfus to Wanda Sykes!

The windows to Amy Winehouse's soul.

William Friedkin's The Boys in the Band to get DVD release on November 11.

Planning on picking up an iPhone 3G on Friday? Here's a map of AT&T's 3G coverage in the U.S. According to a Digg commenter, here's the code: BLUE = Full Coverage, RED/ORANGE = Decent Coverage, ORANGE = Meh Coverage, LIGHT ORANGE = Enjoy EDGE.

Church of Ireland may hold gay unions if homosexuality proven to be biologically determined: "If such comes to be shown, it will be necessary to acknowledge the full implications of that new aspect of the truth."

"Dude, look at your pants. Look at your bag. Obviously this is not your kind of place." Homophobic, or just edgy?

Details attempts to atone for past covers with James McAvoy's blue eyes.

MacBecks: Musical planned about David and Victoria Beckham...

Hagee YouTube suppression to rub off on Joe Lieberman?

East London couple turned away from wedding venue owned by Jehovah's Witness: "For the past 13 years I have been with my soul mate, I have never been discriminated against or been judged as they did to us."

Jaws: Australian town on alert after sighting of 22-foot Great White Shark in lake with outlet to the ocean.

Obama to give DNCC address at Invesco Field at Mile High. SF Chronicle on the rise of the Obamacon...

Killer of gay porn producer spilled details, sought legal advice from fellow inmate.

Honed down: Kucinich to bring single article of impeachment against George W. Bush. "Few in the House of Representatives have any intention of doing anything with the last 35 articles of impeachment Kucinich set before them last month, so the former presidential candidate appears to be lightening the load. Kucinich sent a letter to colleagues Tuesday asking them to support a single article of impeachment, to be introduced Thursday, which accuses President Bush of leading the country to war based on lies."

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Dennis Kucinich Presents 35 Articles of Impeachment Against Bush

Dennis Kucinich brought 35 articles of impeachment against George W. Bush on the House floor yesterday:

"The Ohio representative outlined his intention to propose more than two dozen charges against Bush on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Kucinich, a former presidential candidate, accused Bush executing a 'calculated and wide-ranging strategy' to deceive citizens and Congress into believing that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the United States. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly said she opposes trying to remove the Republican president who leaves office next January because such an attempt would be divisive and most likely unsuccessful."

"Most likely unsuccessful" seems to be the key phrase in Pelosi's tenure thus far.

As such, the move is not likely to gain traction, but you can watch the clip AFTER THE JUMP...

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Dennis Kucinich Ends Presidential Bid

Dennis Kucinich is dropping out of the presidential race, saying he'll hold a news conference today at noon today to announce it. Again.

Although his far left positions gave him little chance of getting anywhere in a presidential race, Kucinich should be thanked for making (or trying to make, as the case may be) important issues heard. For example: "I believe that equality of opportunity should be afforded to all Americans regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation. For that reason I support the right of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons to have the full protections and rights afforded under civil law including the right to marry the person of their choice."

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News: Giant Rat, RENT, Seth Green, KGB Attack, Sia

Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth kicks off gay-bashing over MRSA staph infections.

Scientists discover ancient skull of a rat that was the size of a car: "The creature lived about four million years ago, weighed about a tonne and ate mostly soft vegetation. It was so big that it probably spent much of its life semi-submerged in water, like a hippo, to reduce the stresses caused by its size."

EVICTED: Broadway musical RENT to end run on June 1st after 5,012 performances.

Warrantless wiretapping will be a "walk in the park" comapred to the plans that National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell has for cyberspace that would give the government the authority to examine the content of any e-mail, file transfer or Web search.

Seth Green wins the prize for cheesiest mustache ever.

Yesterday, I posted that a judge ruled Dennis Kucinich could participate in the Las Vegas MSNBC debate. At the last minute, the Nevada Supreme Court overturned that decision. Here are the details: "The Supreme Court's unanimous order said that blocking the debate unless Kucinich got to participate would be “an unconstitutional prior restraint” on the news network's First Amendment rights. Justices also said the lower court exceeded its jurisdiction by ordering Kucinich's participation even though “he first requested and was denied relief” from the Federal Communications Commission."

HARD LABOR for Homosexuality: Sentence handed down in Cameroon.

KGB and militia raid apartment of Russian gay TV journalist: "A group of his gay friends soon arrived to support the journalist. They offered to be witnesses of the search. But the militia and KGB agents forced them to leave. The hard disk from the journalist’s computer was confiscated, along with a video camera and a flash memory stick. Mr. Padsasonny is said to have fled Gomel and is now in hiding."

Miss the American Idol premiere? Here are last night's four audition tragedies.

Australian singer Sia (you may remember her "Breathe Me" song that covered the final moments of Six Feet Under) is a lesbian. She also says she was "born out of the butthole of a unicorn called Steve."

For British man with gigantic 13 1/2-incher, bigger is not better.

McDreamy wants to show he's more than just a suit.

mtvU looking for people willing to talk about their HIV-positive status or how AIDS/HIV has affected them in some way: "MTV's college channel, mtvU, and the Kaiser Family Foundation have teamed up to develop an anti-stigma campaign in partnership with POZ Magazine. The goal of the project is to challenge common misperceptions about people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. The heart of the project will be a collection of photos and stories about real people who are either HIV positive, or are HIV negative but have in some way been affected by the virus. We are seeking a diverse group of people willing to be featured online and perhaps on-air with their photo, their HIV status, and their story about why HIV is an important issue to them. If you are U.S.-based person, 18 years of age or over and would like to lend your face and story to this project, please contact noopur.agarwal@mtvstaff.com as soon as possible. No direct link to HIV/AIDS is necessary - an interest in the issue is sufficient."

George Michael lands multi-millon dollar deal for his memoirs: "one of the biggest book deals ever concluded in UK publishing."

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News: China, Fabio, Antarctica, Oprah, Dame Edna, Scotland, Britney

Teen gay bashes straight couple after mistaking short-haired girlfriend for a man: "The boy, 16, has been charged in juvenile court with the assault, occurring after asking the man and his girlfriend if they were 'two gay guys.' They then became "f$%^ing gay bastards" as they were thrown to the ground, punched and kicked on a busy Dublin street."

Nightmare Garden: Actor from British children's TV series claims on-set injury and anti-gay harassment: "Isaac Blake claimed he suffered an injured pelvis while wearing the chunky brown and pink costume to entertain millions of viewers as one of the three Tombliboos. The 28-year-old said he had to go to hospital and was forced off work for a week after being made to bend over for long spells for closeup shots while wearing the suit. At an employment tribunal, Mr Blake, a trained dancer, also alleged that he was discriminated against and verbally abused for being homosexual. He claimed a colleague called him a 'bitch' and a 'faggot' but when he made a formal complaint he was told to 'shut up and get on with it'."

OWN: Oprah Winfrey gets her own network! What an appropriate name for it.

Judge orders MSNBC to include Dennis Kucinich in Las Vegas debate today.

Kennith H. Burns, founding member of pioneering L.A. gay rights group Mattachine Society, dies at 81 of lung failure: "In 1953, when McCarthyism was strengthening its grip on the national consciousness, Hay and other Mattachine leaders with communist ties were ousted and Burns assumed a prominent role in the organization. The society moved in a more conservative direction during Burns' tenure as Mattachine president in the mid- to late 1950s. Along with other Mattachine leaders, including Harold Call and Don Lucas, he urged members to temper their public image and assimilate into society. 'We must blame ourselves for much of our plight,' Burns said during this period. 'When will homosexuals ever realize that social reform, in order to be effective, must be preceded by personal reform?'"

Fabio offers up Details on George Clooney West Hollywood catfight: "He laid a hand on me, so it would have been self-defense if I had beaten him down. I could have fucked him up. Oh my god, I could have beaten the shit out of him. I was so pissed off. Right then, I could have knocked him over and beat him. I could have punched him in the face while he was on his back. That's how you really hurt someone—their face can't amortize the punch so it takes, it takes the whole impact."

Dame Edna ill, ordered to rest for six months...

Stuart Ellanson, an inmate serving life sentence for murder of gay man gets 15 additional years for holding a dental technician hostage at the prison: "He held the woman captive in a storage room in the prison's health complex for about five and a half hours before releasing her. He was then arrested. Ellanson is serving a life term for murder as a hate crime in the stabbing death of a man in Superior in 1991. The criminal complaint said Ellanson told investigators he killed the man because he was gay."

MELTING: Antarctic ice loss jumps 75% in a single year.

Britney SNAPS (4:13), and picks up a British accent while doing so.

Outsports looks at the aquatic side of Project Runway's Jack Mackenroth: "'Swimming just came fairly naturally to me, and I really enjoyed it,' said Mackenroth, now 38. And he was very good at it, too. He has three All-American titles and set a national record at the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago in the breaststroke leg of the 4-by-50 meter medley relay. Also in 2006, he finished 12th in the 50-meter breaststroke at the Masters World Championships in Stanford, Calif. 'Swimming has been rewarding,' said Mackenroth, who played soccer and baseball as a youngster and now admits that he, 'was hopeless at all of the other sports.'"

China Daily looks at what gays face in that country: "The more you try to oppress sex, the more resistance will rise up." Time takes a look too.

Scotland's hate crime laws to be widened to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and the disabled: "It aims to strengthen the law to protect disabled people and those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities by extending statutory aggravations to cover crimes motivated by malice or ill will towards victims."

RESEARCHER: Heterosexual couples have something to learn from same-sex couples: "In a series of studies Green conducted with Michael Bettinger and Ellis Zacks, lesbian couples were found to be emotionally closer than gay male couples who, in turn, were found to be emotionally closer than heterosexual married couples. 'It all comes down to greater equality in the relationship,' Green said in a statement. 'Research shows that lesbian and gay couples have a head start in escaping the traditional gender role divisions that make for power imbalances and dissatisfaction in many heterosexual relationships.' Heterosexual couples could learn from gays couples about sharing housework and childcare, using softer communication in conflict and having more nurturing behaviors toward one another and their children, the researchers conclude."

The Gawker job interview.

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New Hampshire Primary Votes to be Recounted

Following a request by Democrat Dennis Kucinich and Republican Albert Howard, the New Hampshire Department of State issued a press release on Friday that a recount of ballots cast in the primary would go forward.

The HuffPost reports: "The demand for a recount isn't about the New Hampshire primary--anything short of a result showing Obama winning by more than say, 5% would still put the vote within the realm of a Clinton 'comeback' from Iowa. It's about the amount of distrust that voters have in the machine voting systems--machines which studies have shown to be not just hackable, but often poorly conceived and constructed. People who conduct business over cell phones, computers, and ATMs are nervous about electronic voting because they feel that something about the whole process has gone amiss; the voting machines' source codes are proprietary to the companies so any flaws remain hidden except when extensive studies, such as those conducted by Ohio and California are done."

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Dennis Kucinich Tells Supporters: Vote Obama!

Conceding that his support may not be enough for him to make it in the Democratic race, Dennis Kucinich urged his supporters to vote for Barack Obama as choice #2.

Said Kucinich in a statement: "I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice this Thursday, because of my singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade. This is an opportunity for people to stand up for themselves. But in those caucus locations where my support doesn't reach the necessary threshold, I strongly encourage all of my supporters to make Barack Obama their second choice. Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change."

Obama told reporters that he had spoken with Kucinich: "He and I have been fighting for a number of the same priorities."

And in honor of Kucinich, here's the latest viral UFO video that is circulating on the web. Again, likely some beautiful CGI, but cool nonetheless.

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Sean Penn Speech Protester: Stop Supporting America's Enemies

Actor Sean Penn gave a speech at San Francisco State University regarding his endorsement of Dennis Kucinich for President. During the speech, Leigh Wolf, President of the College Republicans at SFSU, stood with his back to Penn, holding up a sign that said "Stop Supporting America's Enemies."

Penn kept speaking until someone attempted to stop the protestor, at which point, Penn said, "That's okay, this is San Francisco." When the protester's sign was removed, he held up another which said, "Hey Sean, have you seen a UFO too?"

In his speech touting Kucinich, which is transcribed here, Penn slammed Hillary Clinton and warned of personal agendas:

"Let's remind our friends in the social circles of New York and the highbrow winner-friendly and monied major cities that support Mrs. Clinton, that this is not Bill Clinton. For all the misgivings I have about our former President, he raised up friends and opposition alike, his great gift as a motivator of interest and activism, of self-education and participation was, on its own merits, a unique gift. But don't underestimate personal agendas, those that initiated NAFTA, betrayed Haitian refugees and gay rights in the military within a minute of his own election. Don't underestimate that part of him when he gives his wife the face of his talent. Don't underestimate the damage her poisonous ambition can do to this country. We can't wait for the benefit of hindsight to service the benefit of Mrs. Clinton's career. Let's raise up men and women of vision, of integrity, of belief in our principles. How exciting would that be to do?"

Penn will soon begin acting in the title role in Gus van Sant's biopic of slain SF gay rights leader Harvey Milk.

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News: Cheney Impeachment, Gavin Rossdale, Jenkem, Iraq Gays

As safe houses close, Iraqi gay activist Ali Hili says world has left them behind: "Over 30 gay residents who we cared for in these three safe houses now have to take their chances in a country where religious militia regularly seek out gays and execute them. Several months ago, two lesbians working with Iraqi LGBT were assassinated in the safe house they were running in Najaf, along with a young boy the women had rescued from the sex industry. We feel deserted by the international gay community. Few people seem to care about our fate."

Dennis Kucinich to force vote on impeachment resolution against Vice President Dick Cheney. And he's not stopping there....

Jenkem is the shit: Florida police investigating new fecal drug craze. Disgusting.

Scottish parliament considering sexual orientation hate crime law: "There are no guarantees that enough MSPs will support the bill, but it appears to have received a warm welcome from the government. Today it comes before a committee of the Scottish Parliament."

Bush to nominate anti-gay Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican: "Glendon, 69, is an anti-abortion scholar and an opponent of gay marriage who also has written on the effects of divorce and increased litigation on society. Her 1987 book 'Abortion and Divorce in Western Law' was critical of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a legal right to abortion."

Eric Dane is a silver fox.

CBS News on LOGO expanding to half-hour weekly broadcast: "Brian Graden, Logo president and president of MTV Networks Music Group Entertainment, said Monday afternoon that the network had gotten to the point where it had the distribution and roster of advertisers to take things to another level. 'It seemed like there was enough news to sustain that (half-hour) format and then some, and that the audience had a concentrated interest' a year out from the 2008 general elections, Graden said. He didn't rule out further news programming based on how things go."

Gavin Rossdale flexes his tennis chops.

Discharged lesbian nurse battling "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": "Margaret Witt's ACLU lawyer told a federal appeals court panel in Seattle that child molesters in the armed forces are treated more leniently than homosexuals because molesters don't face mandatory discharge. Witt contends the policy-driven discharge violated her right to be free from governmental intrusion in her private life, and that her lawsuit against the Air Force should be reinstated...Witt, 42, spent more than 18 years building a stellar reputation as a McChord Air Force Base nurse who saved the lives of soldiers on medical-evacuation missions. Twice decorated by President Bush, her career was on the rise until an anonymous tipster told the Air Force in 2004 that Witt, a major, was in a long-term relationship with a civilian woman."

British boyband McFly are pube-burning sensations at G-A-Y nightclub in London.

Slow-going as jury selection enters day two for Florida Rep. Bob Allen: "It's "very unusual" for jury selection on a second-degree misdemeanor charge of soliciting a prostitute to enter a second day, attorneys agreed. 'The typical misdemeanor trial would generally have jury selection concluded in a half-day or less, and some are done as quickly as an hour or two,' said Michelle Perlman, misdemeanor division chief for Brevard's State Attorney's Office. Many potential jurors were dismissed immediately after they said they believed Allen, accused in July of agreeing to pay an undercover police officer he encountered in a Titusville park bathroom $20 to perform a sex act, was guilty based on media accounts."

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In Honor of Dennis Kucinich, a Map of UFO Hotspots

From one of my favorite sites, Strange Maps, here's a map showing "the number of UFO reports per 100.000 people by county in the continental US."

They note that extraterrestrials seem to like it out west, except for a huge portion of northern Minnesota and small splotches in Florida's panhandle as well as Missouri and Illinois. Also, they don't seem to like the Bible Belt much.

Incidentally, the location of Shirley Maclaine's home, where Kucinich claims to have seen his UFO, was in Graham, Washington, just outside of Seattle.

Here's that video again, for those of you who missed it.

UFO Hotspots Map [strange maps]

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #192: Halloween Edition

UFOs: From last night's debate. Dennis Kucinich says he's seen a UFO, and more people in America have seen a UFO than approve of Bush.

THE WIDE STANCE EXPRESS: Key West recently had its Fantasy Fest. One of the entries in its parade was this tribute to Senator Larry Craig.

CAR TROUBLE: A creepy Halloween entry from the gay horror flick Hellbent.
(source: tottyland)

THE WITCH MIX: A treat from Eartha Kitt.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here!

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Democrats Debate at Drexel University

Above, the first ten minutes of last night's debate at Drexel University. Right off the bat Obama likened his rivalry with Clinton to that of Rocky and Apollo Creed, calling himself Rocky, a tag that inspired disapproving murmurs from the audience. Clinton responded by announcing she's the subject of conversation and consternation by the Republicans for a good reason. Edwards goes at Clinton from the other side, saying Americans deserve a President that will tell them the truth.

Below, Joe Biden slams Rudy Giuliani's lack of qualifications for President, and Dennis Kucinich calls for the impeachment of George W. Bush.

Also, check out the New York Times interactive debate transcript for additional highlights.

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News: Dennis Kucinich, Garbage Island, Dumbledore, Gary Trudeau

STUDY: Gay men face major discrimination in the workplace: "'It was surprising to see how consistent it was that gay men tended to be more discriminated against in traditionally heterosexual male dominated professions -- blue collar, labor, and management too,' researcher Bruce Elmslie, professor of economics at UNH, told Reuters. The study found that gay men who live together earn 23 percent less than married men, and 9 percent less than unmarried heterosexual men who live with a woman."

OUT begins naming names for this year's Out 100.

Get your gay Dumbledore T-shirts here.

Shirley Maclaine says presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich had a UFO encounter on her property: "Dennis found his encounter extremely moving. The smell of roses drew him out to my balcony where, when he looked up, he saw a gigantic triangular craft, silent, and observing him. It hovered, soundless, for 10 minutes or so, and sped away with a speed he couldn't comprehend. He said he felt a connection in his heart and heard directions in his mind."

Roman Catholic Church facilitating spread of AIDS in Latin America.

Is Rudy Giuliani protecting a Catholic priest who preyed on altar boys? "I know the man; I know who he is, so I support him. We give some of the worst people in our society the presumption of innocence and benefit of the doubt. And, of course, I’m going to give that to one of my closest friends."

Paul Lynde Halloween special now on DVD: "The 1976 'Paul Lynde Halloween Special' (S'more, $15) stars not just 'Bewitched's' belovedly sarcastic Uncle Arthur - one of the gayest not-publicly-gay performers you'll ever see - but also 'Wizard of Oz' witch Margaret Hamilton, 37 years later, in full green-face regalia. And 'H.R. Pufnstuf' standby Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes). And little person Billy Barty. And 'Brady Bunch' mom Florence Henderson warbling a disco version of 'That Old Black Magic.' And Donny & Marie. And Tim Conway, and Betty White, and 'Happy Days' dish Roz 'Pinky Tuscadero' Kelly as a truckstop waitress whose apron emblazons her as Kinky Pinky."

Marie Osmond sees Stars while Dancing.

Cartoonist Gary Trudeau says that while writing his comic strip is no easier now than when he started, attitudes have certainly changed: "Now I can pretty much write about gay issues and not hear from anyone. Certainly popular culture has a role to play in destigmatizing.''

Island-continent of toxic plastic garbage floats between California and Hawaii: "Officially known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, until it can be taxed, U.S. officials will continue to ignore it. I heard of it once many years ago, but it apparently has been growing tenfold each decade since the 1950's, and now consists of 80% plastic. It has also been called Gilligan's Island, from the trashy TV sitcom that won't go away."

Preacher's son talks to Wisconsin crowd about attending Liberty University and coming out as gay.

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Candidates Hold Court at Presidential Forum on LGBT Issues

Here are a few clips and some short personal thoughts on last night's gay debate. Overall, I thought the format was pretty good, and reminded me how tired I am of the quick sound bytes that are offered up again and again during the conventional debates. It was refreshing to have the candidates in this bite-size 'talk-show' format.

I was impressed by Obama's appearance right after he finished. Looking back on the performances of the frontrunners, Obama seemed less canned than Clinton or Edwards, but also a bit less experienced and presidential. In the first clip, Obama discusses whether or not he believes the battle for gay rights can be equated to the black struggle for civil rights.

Edwards seemed uncomfortable at first and thrown off by a few questions, particularly the question about transgender people which I don't feel he answered. But I think Edwards won people over in the end, in the third portion of the interview, after he admitted that he shouldn't have used religion as a justification for his position on gay marriage. In the second clip above, John Edwards is asked why he uses his religion to justify his stance on gay marriage. Says Edward: "I shouldn't have said that. I believe to my core in equality. My campaign for president is about equality — across the board."

After hearing Obama and Edwards, Kucinich's appearance was as if someone had opened a door and let a waft of fresh air in the room. Compelling from start to finish. I'm glad Kucinich is in the mix even though he hasn't a chance in hell of winning, because he brings up what candidates would be saying in an ideal world. He's a bit of a cross between a sideshow act at the carnival and a new age preacher. And that strange awkward pause before the last answer...

Gravel was equally as entertaining: "Marriage is a commitment between two human beings in love. And understand me. I'm saying two human beings. They can be heterosexual. They can be two lesbians, they can be transgender. They can be two gays. What it is is a commitment of two human beings in love and if there's anything we need in this world it's more love."

There may not have been a clear "winner" in last night's Presidential Forum on LGBT issues, but there was a clear loser. In the only real "oh no he didn't" moment of the night, Bill Richardson said "It's a choice" when asked by Melissa Etheridge whether homosexuality was a choice or biologicial.

A shocked Etheridge backtracked with, "I don't think you understood the question. Do you think I -- a homosexual is born that way, or do you think that around seventh grade we go, 'Oh, I want to be gay?'"

Richardson's follow-up answer didn't do much to save him: I'm not a scientist. I don't see this as an issue of science or definition. I see gays and lesbians as people, as a matter of human decency."

Richardson issued a statement following the debate: "Let me be clear -- I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice. But I'm not a scientist, and the point I was trying to make is that no matter how it happens, we are all equal and should be treated that way under the law. That is what I believe, that is what I have spent my career fighting for. I ask that people look at my record and my actions and they will see I have been a true supporter of the LGBT community."

Richardson talked to Pam Spaulding at Americablog after the forum. Said Richardson: "I knew when I was walking out of the parking lot that I had said something in error. My staff alerted me that I needed to set the record straight. This is something you are born with, and regardless of whether there is conflict about the science of it (homosexuality), I support full and equal rights. I fully support domestic partnerships."

Hillary Clinton seemed a bit wooden and angry at first to me, but it was clear that she's a seasoned politician who has learned a few things from her husband about how to work a room. Here's the clip where Jonathan Capehart asks her about the Peter Pace "homosexuality is immoral" comments and her initial response to them, which was "I'll leave that for others to conclude."

Clinton: "You know you say these things, and somebody sticks a microphone in front of you, and I thought, 'well that was pretty good' and my friends started calling me and saying, 'well, that wasn't very good, so...'I said, 'oh, you know, you're probably right.' So I immediately got the first opportunity I could to say the whole thing. I was focused on one aspect I thought was really over the line...joe blow, joe schmo walks down the street and says, 'here's what I believe.' You say, 'who cares?' Chariman of the Joint Chiefs says it, — that has a direct impact on policy. That's what I went after but I should have put it in a broader context."

For my thoughts on Bill Richardson, see the previous post. Below are some links to both liveblogging and MSM reports on the event.

The Advocate Insider has a report on the post-debate fundraisers.

Visible Vote 08 [logo online]
Democratic candidates talk gay issues in historic presidential forum [the advocate]
Democrats Voice Support of Gay Rights in TV Forum [nyt]
Dems Take To The Airwaves To Woo Gay Voters [huffington post]
Dems walk fine line at gay issues forum [chicago tribune]
U.S. gay voters scrutinize Democrats in TV forum [reuters]
The August 9 Democratic Debate [time]

HRC/LOGO Visible Vote '08
Live-Blogging The Dems [joemygod]
LiveBlog of Gay Issues Debate [lane hudson and katherine zaleski - huffington post]
Open thread - liveblogging the HRC/LOGO Visible Vote 08 Forum [americablog]

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Democrats Respond on Gay Marriage at the CNN/YouTube Debate

The Democratic candidates trotted out answers we've heard before on the question of gay marriage at last night's YouTube debate.

In the first question posed to the candidates, Brooklyn lesbians Mary and Jen asked if the candidates would allow them to marry.

KUCINICH: "Mary and Jen, the answer to your question is yes. And let me tell you why. Because if our Constitution really means what it says, that all are created equal, if it really means what it says, that there should be equality of opportunity before the law, then our brothers and sisters who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered should have the same rights accorded to them as anyone else, and that includes the ability to have a civil marriage ceremony. Yes, I support you. And welcome to a better and a new America under a President Kucinich administration."

CHRIS DODD: "I'd simply ask the audience to ask themselves the question that [my wife] Jackie and I have asked: How would I want my two daughters treated if they grew up and had a different sexual orientation than their parents? Good jobs, equal opportunity, to be able to retire, to visit each other, to be with each other, as other people do. So I feel very strongly, if you ask yourself the question, "How would you like your children treated if they had a different sexual orientation than their parents?," the answer is yes. They ought to have that ability in civil unions. I don't go so far as to call for marriage. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. But my state of Connecticut, the state of New Hampshire, have endorsed civil unions. I strongly support that. But I don't go so far as marriage."

BILL RICHARDSON: "I would do what is achievable. What I think is achievable is full civil unions with full marriage rights. I would also press for you a hate crimes act in the Congress. I would eliminate 'don't ask/don't tell' in the military. If we're going to have in our military men and women that die for this country, we shouldn't give them a lecture on their sexual orientation. I would push for domestic partnership laws, nondiscrimination in insurance and housing. I would also send a very strong message that, in my administration, I will not tolerate any discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation."

The second question, which I posted on Towleroad last week, came from Reverend Reggie Longcrier, to John Edwards — "So why is it still acceptable to use religion to deny gay American their full and equal rights?":

EDWARDS: "I think Reverend Longcrier asks a very important question, which is whether fundamentally -- whether it's right for any of our faith beliefs to be imposed on the American people when we're president of the United States. I do not believe that's right. I feel enormous personal conflict about this issue. I want to end discrimination. I want to do some of the things that I just heard Bill Richardson talking about -- standing up for equal rights, substantive rights, civil unions, the thing that Chris Dodd just talked about. But I think that's something everybody on this stage will commit themselves to as president of the United States. But I personally have been on a journey on this issue. I feel enormous conflict about it. As I think a lot of people know, Elizabeth spoke -- my wife Elizabeth spoke out a few weeks ago, and she actually supports gay marriage. I do not. But this is a very, very difficult issue for me. And I recognize and have enormous respect for people who have a different view of it."

As you can see, Edwards pretty much dodged the real question, however, Longcrier's question and Edwards' answer were both praised by Faith In America Executive Director Rev. Jimmy Creech.

Said Creech: "In answering Rev. Longcrier's question, Senator Edwards made an important commitment to not allow his personal religious beliefs to restrict the rights of any American. We congratulate him and encourage all leaders and candidates to give serious consideration to this issue and how they will represent the interests of this nation. Millions of gay Americans struggle every-day against the misuse of religion to perpetuate prejudice and inequality. These individuals don't just fight bigotry when they're denied the right to marry their partners, they combat it on the street, in the workplace, in their children's schools, and in every other aspect of their lives. Religion-based prejudices pervade and profoundly shape the daily experiences of these people and I'd like to commend my friend Rev. Longcrier for furthering the national dialogue for those and all Americas on this critically important subject."

According to a SurveyUSA Instant Poll, most thought Clinton "won" the debate, but Joseph Biden made a big impression with viewers as well.

Politics TV has the full debate, question by question.
Full debate transcript here.

YouTube video debate actually worked [nyt]

(video source: hrc)

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