Playing a Game of "Gay" Cards

Stupid people give smart people a bad name.

What do I mean?

I can understand that many LGBT people out there have been discriminated against due to their sexuality. But sometimes I think people play the "gay" card in the most stupid situations. Gay man Richard Hatch, who's only claim to fame was winning Survivor, then failing to pay taxes on his winnings. Dumbass. Did he think they wouldn't catch him?

Hatch was recently released from prison after serving time for tax evasion. He seems to believe that prejudice based on sexual orientation was really the reason he was sentenced to prison time. When asked if the thought he would have not gone to prison if he were heterosexual, he replied, "I do believe that."

Well, I believe he's an idiot. I am not saying that their is not discrimnation in the court systems, but I have a hard time taking this from a man who likes publicity like a moth to a "flamer".(pardon the over-used pun)

This tends to be the same scenario when people make accusations that decisions were based on race or religion or gender. It happens, yes, but people really need to analyze situations before their spout off stupidly like Hatch. Maybe you weren't qualified for the job or maybe, like Hatch, you were just an idiot and didn't pay the taxes.

See the full story here: 'Survivor' Hatch says imprisoned because he's gay

Is Justice Ever Really Justice?

There has been a verdict in the hate crime trial of Dwight DeLee. It is not really the verdict that many had hoped for, but still he was found guilty of first degree manslaughter as a hate crime. The defense was trying for second degree murder as a hate crime, but apparently the jury determined that DeLee didn't mean to "kill" Teish Green, instead he simply wanted to hurt and/or maim her. Interesting. I didn't realize that pointing a gun at someone while they are in their car was not an intent to kill them. So, did the jury simply say "Accidents happen?" Disgusting.

Still, there is some justice. The sentencing phase should begin soon. A manslaughter conviction comes with I believe a minimum of ten years and a maximum of 25 years.

Now that the trial is over it is my hope that Teish Green's family can have some peace. While it is pitiful justice, it is still some closure. * Moment of Silence *

On a side note, the Fashion Police have filed charges against DeLee for indecent exposure, obstruction of justice, and premeditated murder of the public's eyes for wearing that hideous shirt and tie.

Photo courtesy of Syracuse.com

Gay Moments in Syracuse

Standing up for yourself feels so empowering. Two big "gay" moments are going on in Syracuse at the moment. Today was the start of the hate crime trial against Dwight DeLee. DeLee is accused of the murder of LaTeisha "Teish" Green. He is believed to have killed her because she lived openly as a transexual.

Another disruption to the LGBTQ community happened on the olng July 4th weekend. Someone scrawled the message "There is no such thing as a proud queer" on the window of a local art gallery. The art gallery, ArtRage, then proceeded to help launch a community that ususally sits back and watch into a community of art activists. The initial concept was the idea of Amit Taneja, a staff member of Syracuse Univesity's LGBT Resource Center.

The project was simple. Have the LGBTQ community and their allies submit their own of photo to showcase they're proud level. An overwhelming response flew in with more than the 100 pictures requested. The last time I heard their were more than 200 in the inbox of Amit's e-mail.

It's nice to see the community wakening up to the world around them. A committee of people joined the Cannon family in putting together a memorial for Teish prioir to the beginning of the trial. These same individuals have worked hard in creating a schedule where there is someone from our community at every day of DeLee's trial.

Community Activism is an exciting concept. It's the grassroots campaigns that open eyes and show the community the bigger picture of what's going on in the world. It's these kind of people who stand up for themselves (and for me in the process) that I like to call my heroes. Sure, are city is lucky to not have gay-bashings every weekend, but any community is always only one step away from this kind of life. We have to be thankful for what we have and we have to stand up for what is ours.


The "Proud & Queer" exhibit displayed in the windows of the ArtRage Gallery.


Amit Taneja stands in front of the community activism he helped to inspire.

An Evening With A Porn Star

While I was in Houston visiting my parents, I took some time out to go to the Houston Pride Festival and Parade. It was quite a lot of fun. One of the many after-parties was hosted by Guava Lamp.

Special Guests for the evening included the gorgeously handsome Benjamin Bradley and super-pornstar Roman Heart. Bradley is a former ponstar and current Ginch Gonch underwear model. Heart is a Falon Entertainment Exclusive.

They danced for the crowd and were very nice to everyone. They handed out DVDs and signed copies of the Houston-based About Magazine. The guys' photos were the centerfold (easy access for autographs).
This was certainly a party that I wouldn't have seen in Syracuse, so I guess it pays to take a vacation. :)

So, rather than drone on, I leave you their photos.

OUTRAGE

I recently returned from a trip to the good old boys in Texas. While there I went to see this film: OUTRAGE. It is a creation by Kirby Dick, who you may remember from another excellent film called This Film Is Not Yet Rated.

Press for the movie calls the film "a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to."

I must say I was wary at first. I am NOT a proponent of outing individuals. I think it is heartless and cold-spirited. I remember when I was still living in Texas and the fear that anything I did would be a cause for someone to call me "faggot." We all realize there is a whole lot of emotion, feelings and misconceptions attached to coming out, but ultimately every person's acceptance of their sexual identity is personal and should be no one else's to intrude on.

Yet, this film made a distinction that I think is noteworthy. The film does not pick on these closeted members simply because they're not "out." Dick focuses on those politicians who are being hurtful to the community that they secretly live in. It's a simple case of the person wanting their cake and to be able to eat it too.

The politicians "outed" have voting records against anti-discrimantino laws, equal opportunity laws, and gay rights laws. Yet, their personal lives seem to be the opposite of these items. They have male lovers, affairs with men, but want to be considered mainstream, Republican, God-fearing officials. Amazing.

There are conversations with notable politicians such as Congressman Barney Frank, radio personality Michelangelo Signorile, and former New Jersey Governor James McGreevey, among many others. They are joined by informants, aides, and whistle(blow)ers about the antics of prominent politicians.

Dick holds a mirror up to those people living "double lives" and waits to see which side will crack first.

Check it out if you get a chance.

Destiny Going Bust?

As a gay boy who likes to shop I have been quite annoyed with the developments over at the Carousel Center. If you set aside the fact that the parking ia atrocious and navigating one's way into the mall area was bad enough, there is still the fact that the public is still waiting for something to happen. You can paint the shitty place a thousand shades of green, but I am not going to be spending any "green" there until you get some of thsi construction crap out of my way.
The community has been listening to blowhards and pundits on the DestiNY USA project for years and besides a small wing add-on that looks almost prison-like, not much has been witnessed. Well, finally it seems, that even the people putting up money for Bob Congel's shenanigans are losing their patience.

See today's article on Syracuse.com about Citigroup and DestiNY USA.

My Worlds Collide

So, the unthinkable has happened. My college alma mater, Stephen F. Austin State University, has found its way into the NCAA Tournament. In ten minutes they will begin a game against a very formidable opponent. Who is that opponent? Syracuse University.

How exciting it is for me to wear my purple and white amidst the land of orange. No one here has heard of Stephen F. Austin. My co-workers are even reveling in the fact that they know someone who not only has heard of SFA, but graduated from there. I graduated from SFA in 2005 with my Bachelor's degree in English. I was Mr. SFA my Senior Year and was very active in campus activities. I loved my time at SFA so while I may be in the Orange-topia, I must still cheer on my fellow Lumberjacks to victory. So all you haters keep on hatin', but just remember I'm a Lumberjack and I can cut you!

Axe'em Jacks!

AI Top - Alexis Gracefully Exits

I didn't think it would happen so soon. Alexis Grace was eliminated from Idol. Problem is, I can see why. Her version of "Jolene" was horrid. Dolly Parton should have smothered her in her Ford Tundra-sized breasts. But I loved her the week before. So here comes my dilemma with all realith television show voting. When voting, should I only vote on the performance of that week OR do you take in consideration there previous performances and their potential?

On Idol, I think considering past performances cn be good because of the theme week. Grand Ole Opry week? Well, let's think about how many people who try out can are heavily engrossed in country music. The thing is though, some people do it. Anoop Desai wowed with his rendition of "Always on My Mind" prompting Simon Cowell to mention that Anoop went from "zero to hero." So if others are able to make the leap and you are not, this simply makes you look worse.

Then you have someone like Michael Sarver, who is from the Lone Star State (as am I), and is steeped in an up-bringing surrounded by country music. He gets a bit of a leg up. The argument begins that the next week when it's maybe Pop Princesses or Broadway, his leg up is kicked out from under him.

Regardless of my ramblings, my favorite of the night was Anoop-Dog with his rendition of "Always On My Mind."

Sand Art

I love art. I think it's one of the most wonderful things out there to not only look at, but to ponder. Why? Because I feel that art is a medium that can express a multitude of feelings, ideas, beleifs in one picture or painting. Two people can look at the same picture and receive two different messages about the artist, his work, and whether it is a success or failure.

Granted, subjectivity and perspective differences occur in all matters of the world. Whether you view the cup half full or half empty, for example. Some people love the pop art works of Andy Warhol and find DaVinci's renderings boring. Another may wag his tongue over Keith Haring's iconic drawings yet yawn at the delicate brushstrokes of Titian. We've all heard it. "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder." Blah blah blah. I, for one, think that there are some things that are beautiful regardless of whether someone acknowledges its beauty. Luckily, the video below has been found beautiful already by some. I share it because I too find it beautiful, so I dedicate it to all my friends.

The following is a video of sand art done by Ms. Ilana Yahav. We watched this video at church Sunday morning. The sand is poured on top of a light box then moved around to create careful, brilliant pictures. Enjoy Ms. Yahav's talent and should you want more, visit http://www.sandfantasy.com/.

Quick Idol Recap

So, in case you missed it, two Idols were sent home last week. Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez. Sad day, but I didn't cry too long. So on to this week. Here's to a quick hope that Adam will be just as good looking.

















And why can't he do this on the show? That would certainly put a jump in the ratings.

And this week is Grand Ole Opry week. I'm gonna guess that Megan may do well with this week and Michael Sarver, especially since he's a shit-kicker from Texas. Also, Kris Allen with his guitar could probably woo the crowd real good. Either way, the night should be interesting.