Towleroad Guide to the Tube #331

OBAMA ABROAD: A report from ITN News...

JOHN BARROWMAN: Talks about taking the gay test on The Making of Me.

THE SURGE: You can't be a McCain VP candidate without being on board with the surge!

SO GAY: Stephen Colbert takes on the South Carolina ad controversy.

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News: Britney Spears, Turkey, Tyra, NYPD, Jock Itch, Ricky Martin

Religious right mounting opposition to NY marriage equality: "The Rev. Duane Motley of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms says the Democratic governor is circumventing the Legislature and courts and slapping New Yorkers in the face. Motley says granting government benefits to gay couples will come at a cost to the state even as Paterson calls for cuts in spending because of looming deficits. Motley says Paterson shouldn't force the state to recognize gay marriages when they remain illegal in New York."

The New York Times takes on Tyra and her smiling eyes.

Britney Spears to join Grease as Sandy on Broadway?

Turkish court shuts down LGBT organization: "The court ordered the closure of the group for not eliminating words describing sexual identities of its members in its official name, Ergenc said. 'If we take out the words of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transvestites then it is not an association for them,' Ergenc said. The court found the association's name in violation of public morality."

Does David Beckham have jock itch?

Dina Matos McGreevey takes stand, talks about all the money she needs: "Matos McGreevey said she paid for her own car, insurance and clothes out of her salary as a hospital executive, estimated at $55,000 a year. She said being on the arm of a politician sometimes required three changes of clothes a day. Matos McGreevey's accountant, Kalman Barson, placed the value of their so-called gubernatorial lifestyle at $51,000 a month but acknowledged under cross-examination that he relied mostly on guesswork to derive the estimate. McGreevey's accountant puts the value of maintaining that lifestyle at a far more modest $16,000 a month."

NYPD captain accused of flashing man in the subway.

This dude supposedly has video of (real live!) 4-foot blinking alien that he'll show on Friday in Denver: "As impressive as it is, it's still one tiny portion in the context of a vast amount of peripheral evidence. It's really the final visual confirmation of what you already know to be true having seen all the other evidence...It shows an extraterrestrial's head popping up outside of a window at night, looking in the window, that's visible through an infrared camera." And, you know, it's definitely real because "an instructor at the Colorado Film School in Denver scrutinized the video 'very carefully' and determined it was authentic." Mmm hmm.

She bangs: Hillary Clinton gets endorsement from Ricky Martin.

Clive Owen gets shirtless on balcony, world watches.

Stephen Colbert grillls Family Research Council Pres Tony Perkins over same-sex marriage: "Many are shocked and outraged. I get the outrage, but shocked? That California is pro-gay? I assume these are the same people who were shocked when Elton John finally came out, even though he'd been wearing fuchsia sun goggles with windshield wipers for years."

Supreme Court to hear case on Christian doctor who refused to perform artificial insemination on a lesbian.

Al Gore's The Inconvenient Truth to become an opera: "La Scala officials say the Italian composer Giorgio Battistelli has been commissioned to produce an opera on the international multiformat hit for the 2011 season at the Milan opera house. The composer is currently artistic director of the Arena in Verona." Who's going to play the CO2?

Glaceau, makers of Vitamin Water, to remove Red Bull-bashing slogan "Wings are for fairies" from its ad vehicles: "The slogan was a direct reference to a winged cartoon character in a competitive campaign, We apologize if our attempt at humor offended anyone in any way and we plan to remove this slogan from all vehicles as soon as possible."

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Stephen Colbert Talks to HRC's Joe Solmonese

Stephen Colbert talked to Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese this week in a new series called "Better Know a Lobbyist." Thoroughly amusing.

Colbert: Have you thought about supporting any Republicans this year? What about Huckabee, are you gay for him?

Solmonese: We're not gay for Mike Huckabee because Mike Huckabee's not gay for us.

Colbert: Tit for tat. No offense.

(via queerty)

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #194

KEITH OLBERMANN: A recent eviscerating special comment on waterboarding.

STEPHEN COLBERT: Introduces Nancy Pelosi at the Glamour Women of the Year awards.

THE POLITICS OF PARSING: John Edwards unleashes attack video on Clinton positions. Clinton: "I wasn't at my best the other night. We've had a bunch of debates and I wouldn't rank that up in my very top list. But I've answered probably, I don't know, more than 5,000 questions over the last 10 months and I have been very clear about where I stand and what I want to do for the country."

VICTORIA BECKHAM: Promo for her appearance on Ugly Betty this Thursday.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #188

THE ONION: Bullshit is most important issue for 2008 voters (source: daily dish)

STEPHEN COLBERT: Talks about his candidacy for president with Tim Russert on Sunday's Meet the Press.

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News: Marc Jacobs, Sweden, Lance Bass, Astroglide

Same-sex marriage in Sweden closer to reality? "Sweden’s three opposition parties, the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Left Party have put forward a motion in the Swedish Parliament to allow gay marriages. There is wide support in the parliament for the move, with the only party against the plans the Christian Democrats. They are also in a minority in the government, with three out of four of the ruling parties also in favour, but the Christian Democrat’s opposition means the government is unable to put forward a motion itself."

Marc Jacobs strips again for the cover of Arena Homme +

Astroglide: Barbara Walters reportedly gave sexual lubricant recommendations to Rosie O'Donnell.

Lance Bass in shouting match with companion outside NYC's Barracuda bar: "He was creating a commotion, and then he and Lance took it outside. They fought outside, screaming at the top of their lungs."

Memorial held in NYC for gay club icon Dean Johnson. Friend: "I never felt as comfortable as a straight guy in a world where I wasn’t supposed to be than with Dean. When I met Dean, I realized what being free is all about. He never judged anybody, and he never cared about being judged."

It's Britney's video, bitch!

Condoleezza Rice's female friend Randy Bean, with whom she owns a house in Palo Alto, California, responds to rumors that the two women are a couple: "Condi and I have been friends for 25 years. We co-own an investment property in Palo Alto. We do not share a home."

On the planning of an LGBT Wedding magazine.

Responding to GLAAD, the New York Post apologizes for calling a transgender person a She-Male.

SLOG's Dan Savage talks to Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report.

The Provincetown hate crimes have caught the attention of Boston's newsweekly The Phoenix.

Here's the Nan Goldin photograph, "Klara and Edda Belly Dancing", that was seized by police from a show of Elton John's collection. Elton shuttered the gallery exhibition due to the investigation, which alleges the photograph breaches child pornography laws.

Gay foster parent ban may hit the 2008 ballot in Arkansas: "Attorney General Dustin McDaniel approved an initiative Thursday, which will allow supporters of the ban to collect signatures in support of placing the issue on a ballot. Now that their initiative has been approved, the Family Council Action Committee must collect at least 78-thousand votes in order to get their proposal on the 2008 ballot. It was struck down by the state Supreme Court in 2006 and failed in the state legislature during the 2007 session, so proponents of a ban on gay and unmarried foster parents decided to take the issue to the voters. After one failed attempt in September, the Family Council Action Committee got their initiative approved on Thursday."

Recent paparazzi photos of Jennifer Aniston and Orlando Bloom in Mexico which sparked relationship rumors have a backstory: they were at the 'gay power wedding' of friends Luc Brinker and Todd Diener in Mexico.

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Stephen Colbert and Richard Branson Are All Wet

There was news circulating earlier in the week of a water fight between Stephen Colbert and Virgin honcho Richard Branson on The Colbert Report. We now have the footage.

On a related note, has anyone flown Virgin America?

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News: Flight from Hell, John Mayer, Grand Tetons, Madonna

Gay man shut out of the estate of his deceased lover of 14 years: "B.C. Supreme Court Justice Marion Allan has ruled 42-year-old Reza Chowdhury has no claim to an East Vancouver home he says he shared with Peter Argenti. The court agrees Mr. Argenti had a 14-year relationship with Mr. Chowdhury but kept it a deep secret, fearing his conservative, Catholic family and friends would never understand if he admitted his homosexuality. Mr. Chowdhury was a refugee from Bangladesh. He says he lived with Mr. Argenti in the home and has a claim to it as a common-law spouse. But the court says there is no indication of a connection between Mr. Chowdhury and anything to do with the house, even though Mr. Chowdhury lived there while managing and cooking at a restaurant owned by Mr. Argenti."

A Socialite's Life steps inside GLAAD's annual summer cocktail fundraiser and finds "Robert Gant ("Queer As Folk"), Wilson Cruz ("Noah's Ark"), Tony Tripoli ("Fashion House"), Jai Rodriquez ("Queer Eye"), Marc Cherry (creator of "Desperate Housewives"), Paul McCullough ("The Next Food Network Star"), Chad Allen ("Save Me"), Honey Labrador ("Queer Eye for the Straight Girl"), Ian Roberts (former pro-rugby player), Reichen Lehmkuhl ("Amazing Race") and Christine Devine (Fox 11 News)."

Stephen Colbert and Richard Branson in on-air water fight: "Branson was apparently upset that he wasn't able to give a direct plug to the new Virgin service and doused Colbert with his guest mug of water. Stephen was drenched. He took a beat, then signalled for his own ammunition for about twenty seconds until Alison (Silverman) ran and gave him her bottle of water, and Stephen retaliated. The two of them sat for a very uncomfortable second looking like two wet cats. Then Stephen thanked him for coming. I really don't think it was planned, since Stephen had another bit to introduce and a full interview left to do. They had to get him a new jacket and even broke out a blowdryer."

The Grand Tetons, Jupiter, and the Milky Way have a three-way.

Passengers aboard a Continental flight threaten to sue after trip from hell: "Because of bad weather, Continental's July 19 Flight 1669 from Caracas, Venezuela, to Newark, N.J., was diverted to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, where it landed at 1:50 p.m. Passengers said after sitting on the grounded plane for hours, they began protesting by banging on overhead compartments, clapping their hands and even signing a petition asking to be let off...At 6:30 p.m., homeland security officers finally allowed passengers to exit the plane, but their troubles didn't end. The officers led them into a room, where they were held for two additional hours. 'We were removed from the plane and were forced to walk single file against the wall, flanked by armed officers one of whom had an attack dog.'"

John Mayer shops till he drops.

Madonna shoots up in front of passengers on transatlantic flight: "Just before landing she brought out the phials of vitamins and injected herself. Seven hours is a long time to go without eating. She was also very quiet and only spoke to the air staff to ask for water."

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News: Hillary Clinton, Estonia Pride, Gael Garcia Bernal, Mike Jones

Jim David on The Gay Squirm Factor: "It's enough to make you want to move to Scandinavia, where nobody cares about the gays. If it just wasn't so freaking cold."

Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna host human rights benefit in Mexico City: "The $300-a-plate meal in the capital will benefit Mexico's Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights as well as Witness, an organization founded by singer Peter Gabriel that promotes the use of video and film to document human rights abuses."

Former Andy Warhol sidekick Bob Colacello to W magazine: "I'm presumably gay. I believe in going out, not coming out. It takes more courage to be openly Republican than to be openly gay in New York today. I'm a bit of a contrarian."

Putting it all online? Recent developments in "cloud storage" solutions from Google, Microsoft, and Apple.

Tropical Depression 4 forms in Atlantic. Will become "Dean" if named...

Ricky Martin shows off his skills.

Gay Pride march in Estonia takes place peacefully: "An estimated 300 people gathered in the historic part of the city to celebrate their sexuality, protected by private security officers and an increased police presence. Despite fears of a repeat of last year's violence, when Estonian skinheads injured several marchers by hurling missiles, the event passed off without any significant incident. About halfway down the route, anti-gay demonstrators formed an alternative procession. About a dozen mostly Russian-speaking men, women and children chanted 'no pride' at the marchers."

Ted Haggard escort Mike Jones in new play about soldiers who "go AWOL after being exposed to friendly-fire nerve gas in an all-base orgy."

British military puts gag order on soldiers' blogs: "Members of the Armed Forces and MOD Civil Servants must seek prior permission from [MoD media authorities] if they wish to communicate about defence via books, articles or academic papers; self-publish via a blog, podcast or other shared text, audio or video; take part in external questionnaires, polls, surveys or research projects, speak at conferences, private engagements or other events where the public or media may be present; or contribute to any online community or share information such as a bulletin board, wiki, online social network, or multi-player game..."

Britney Spears' hot tub hook-up talks to Access Hollywood.

Inside the Hillary Clinton fundraiser at The Abbey in West Hollywood: "...we hear people starting cheering loudly in the VIP room and camera flashes seep through the curtain separating us common folk. She's coming! The crowd begins to chant "Hillary! Hillary!" and it really starts to feel like a rock concert. Then at about 9:00 we see it, her bright red jacket slips through the maroon curtain and the crowd is in a frenzy! 'We Love You Hillary!' and 'You're Fabulous!' seem to be the shouts of choice."

Artist constructs Stephen Colbert portrait out of 768 mini Rubik's Cubes.

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News: Scooter Libby, Latvia, Americone Dream, Wyoming

Scooter Libby found guilty on four counts in CIA leak case: "Libby is the highest-ranking White House official to be convicted of a felony since the Iran-Contra scandal of the mid-1980s. The case brought new attention to the Bush administration's much-criticized handling of weapons of mass destruction intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq war." Bush saddened by verdict...

Stephen Colbert, Ben & Jerry launch Americone Dream.

Riga, Latvia's new mayor says he'll back a gay rights march later this year: "In an interview with Diena newspaper, Janis Birks said he was ashamed at events last year, when bags of human excrement were thrown at gay marchers. The Mayor called for tolerance and understanding on all sides."

Isaiah Washington may actually pay for calling T.R. Knight a "faggot".

Not to beat a dead horse, but here's more on why Ann Coulter's argument is so wrong.

UK lesbian shopkeeper will receive a possible award of more than £120,000 after suffering months of bullying at the hands of a co-worker: "Mrs Davies, a practising Jehovah's Witness, pushed Miss Bielak and started shouting and swearing at her, calling her a '******* dyke'. A tribunal also heard that she would play the Morrissey track ["All the Lazy Dykes"] every time Miss Bielak came into the stockroom at the Next store in St Helens, Merseyside. "

Straight Republican legislator from Wyoming, Dan Zwonitzer, makes headlines after taking public stand against anti-gay marriage amendment: "Zwonitzer told the House Rules Committee on Feb. 22 that he needed to publicly oppose the measure -- even if it cost him his seat -- because he believed that was the right thing to do. He told the committee that gay rights were the civil rights struggle of his generation. 'I will tell my children that when this debate went on, I stood up for basic rights for people,' he said."

With civil unions already legal, New Jersey Republicans vow to block next steps of adding the "marriage" term to it.

Gerard Butler, Rodrigo Santoro on hand for 300 premiere in Hollywood. AfterElton review: solid film needlessly disrespects homosexuals...

Equality Texas rallies at state capitol in Austin: "Equality Texas wants to protect foster families, ensure safe learning environments for schoolchildren and end workplace discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. They met with legislators to voice concerns over these issues."

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News: Americone Dream, Gay Ski Week, Lou Pearlman, Heat

Earth's temperature record "smashed" in January: "The temperature of the world's land and water combined — the most effective measurement — was 1.53 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the 20th-century average of 53.6 for January, breaking the old record by more than one-quarter of a degree. Ocean temperatures alone didn't set a record. That didn't just nudge past the old record set in 2002, but broke that mark by 0.81 degrees, which meteorologists said is a lot, since such records often are broken by hundredths of a degree at a time."

Al Gore announces "Live Earth" concerts.

Stephen Colbert gets his own flavor of Ben & Jerry's, Americone Dream. Colbert: "I'm not afraid to say it. Dessert has a well-known liberal agenda. What I hope to do with this ice cream is bring some balance back to the freezer case."

Boy band tycoon Lou Pearlman on the run from the FBI? Idolator: "There are now 16 suits pending against Pearlman, seeking a total of $134 million. His alleged transgressions are hard to encapsulate--the Orlando Sentinel has an entire Pearlman archive--but one of the most pressing accusations is that he was running an ambitious Ponzi scheme to bilk investors. Considering the scope of the investigation, we're sure Pearlman will show up soon; in fact, we're guessing you can find him right now at some undisclosed Disney nightclub, where he's eating fistfuls of Mars bars and asking the waiters if they can hit a mid-range falsetto."

We win. Keith Olbermann gets "second term" at MSNBC. Contract renewed for four more years.

David Beckham acts on Instinct.

Hallmark to release line of cards referencing sexual orientation: "Hallmark Cards Inc., which has built its $4.2 billion empire on sentiments for life's happier times, is releasing a new line of cards that will speak to those and other situations that the company says have either been ignored by greeting card companies or received only a smattering of attention from niche players...No topics were off-limits, said company spokeswoman Rachel Bolton, noting two cards that could be sent to gay people who have disclosed their sexuality. The cards don't directly refer to homosexuality, only extolling the person to 'Be You' or 'This is who I am' or featuring a rainbow, a symbol of gay pride."

Gay ski week at Whistler: a photo gallery. (via slog)

Hundreds rally for gay rights in Maryland after state legislators introduce two amendments to ban gay marriage: “When people have to leave the nation of their birth to participate in a basic right of citizenship, we do not have equal justice under the law. When there is hesitation about marriage equality, when there is discussion of setting up a separate but equal — but unequal — system, we do not have equal justice under the law. And we will be here until we get full equality under the law.”

Domain name timhardawayisgay.com for sale on eBay. Bargain.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #73

ROBBIE WILLIAMS: Pet Shop Boys-produced new single "She's Madonna".

COLBERT on the O'REILLY FACTOR: With a bit of truthiness.

MICROSOFT CEO STEVE BALLMER: Laughs at the iPhone.

ESCALATION: John McCain gets the treatment from MoveOn.

O'REILLY on COLBERT (below): Even more truthiness.

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"Truthiness" is Word of the Year

Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster has announced their "word of the year", and for 2006 that word is "truthiness", coined by Stephen Colbert in the very first episode of The Colbert Report. Here's that first segment of "The Word" for those who missed it.

Colbert defines "truthiness" as "truth that comes from the gut, not books."

Colbert told media outlets he was pleased with the honor: "Though I'm no fan of reference books and their fact-based agendas, I am a fan of anyone who chooses to honor me. And what an honor. Truthiness now joins the lexicographical pantheon with words like `squash,' `merry,' `crumpet,' `the,' `xylophone,' `circuitous,' `others,' and others."

The word was chosen by a margin of 5 to 1 by visitors to the publisher's website. The others in the top 10 were google, decider, war, insurgent, terrorism, vendetta, sectarian, quagmire, and corruption.

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