Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King – Y’ep! We’re Gay!
Remember when Liberace came out?
Everyone already knew! Same thing with Siegfried & Roy, Suzie Orman and even Clay Aiken. Once they finally came out of the closet it was no shock to the gay community.
Rumours have swirled for years about Oprah and Gayle being lesbian lovers – some have even said Stedman is gay!
Last Sping both Gayle and Oprah said they were not lesbians, nor were they lovers! not that there is anything wrong with that!
IUC (Ian Undercover) has learned that Oprah is seriously contemplating taking a page from her former talk show rival, Rosie O’Donnell, and finally coming out as a lesbian shortly after she gives up her talk show.
NY Times bestselling author/filmmaker Ian Halperin specializes in undercover investigations. He says “During my undercover investigation posing as a gay actor in Hollywood a couple of years ago, the most frequently cited closet case by those in the know did not reside in Los Angeles but in Chicago, none other than the queen of daytime television.”
“Get real,” dished a prominent Hollywood poker playing group of industry pros who call themselves the ‘Queers of the Round Table.’ “Only those in the fly over states still believe Oprah is straight.”
Both Oprah and Gayle denied being lesbian lovers a few years ago, sort of. In an interview with Oprah’s O Magazine, Gayle said, “The truth is, if we were gay, we would so tell you, because there’s nothing wrong with being gay.” Oprah’s comment was a similar non-denial denial: “I’ve told nearly everything there is to tell. All my stuff is out there. People think I’d be so ashamed of being gay that I wouldn’t admit it? Oh, please. “ Gayle did admit, “If Oprah were a man, I would marry her.” Tellingly, the denials prompted Rosie O’Donnell herself to speculate that the couple were probably lesbians even if they’re “not doing it,” saying that she thought Oprah and Gayle were “a little bit gay.”
“I have been trying to track down the gay rumors about Gayle and Oprah for ages and, although I have never seen them in bed together or interviewed somebody who claims to have had sex with either one of them, I am now told by someone close to her production company that Oprah feels it important to come clean about her relationship “when the time is right,” and that Oprah herself has speculated that she will follow Rosie’s path of waiting until shortly after her talk show ends.”
“Look for her to go on Barbara Walters a week or two after her show is off the air,” she says.
Siegfried & Roy Take Their Final Bow – The Hottest Ticket in Las Vegas This Month
ONE NIGHT ONLY –
IT’S GOING TO BE THE HOTTEST MOST
TALKED ABOUT EVENT IN LAS VEGAS!
SIEGFRIED AND ROY
will return to the stage!
Saturday, February 28th at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Tickets still available at $1500 each, to benefit Lou Ruvo Brain Institute.
They announced their return to the stage for charity, exactly one year ago.
And now the time is here.
NEWSFLASH – JUST IN!
An official announcement is expected today that the legendary illusionists will appear in a special hourlong, prime-time installment of the ABC News program “20/20,” to be recorded live at the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute’s Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” benefit gala, scheduled for Feb. 28 at the Bellagio.
The show will be broadcast at 9 p.m. Pacific time on March 6.
ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas is in Las Vegas now, filming interviews with the German-born magicians who have for decades called Las Vegas home. She will be talking with the magicians’ longtime manager, Bernie Yuman, and other Vegas VIPs such as Steve Wynn.
“We never got to say a proper goodbye,” Roy Horn said in an exclusive interview on his first tour of the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute on the Union Park development near downtown Las Vegas. “This will be our final bow and it will never be repeated.”
Lesbian and Gay Band to March in Washington DC this Week
As the nation’s attention turns to this week’s Inaugural festivities, in Washington DC, Gays and Lesbians can be proud of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association’s historic participation in the Inaugural Parade. The band will be the first LGBT organization ever to march in an Inaugural Parade.
Participants, however, are responsible for paying for their own lodging, transportation, and other expenses. And it’s not cheap.
A gift of just a few dollars will help cover the many expenses of participating in an event of this magnitude.I know I’ll be excited when the announcer tells the television viewing audience that the next contingent is the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America. The parade will be seen by hundreds of millions around the world. And it’s that sense of pride. Recognition. That we are getting one step closer to equal rights.
MAKE A DONATION TODAY and support the Lesbian and Gay band!
Bye Bye Georgie! Hello Barack!!
UPDATE – Watch the Video from the Inauguration Parade!
Starwood and W Hotels spin off new hip chic ALOFT Hotels – Luxury at a Discount?
From the pictures I have seen, most of the rooms look kind of plain….but the open areas, lobby, food service areas, fitness center and such look pretty cool and hip. And that’s the idea.
For the traveler open to possibilities, ALOFT is a fresh, fun, forward-thinking alternative. Breeze into a hotel that offers more than a comfy bed and a friendly smile, and enjoy a whole new travel experience. Energy flows and personalities mingle in a setting that combines urban-influenced design, accessible technology, and a social scene that’s always abuzz.
Energizing public spaces draw you from your room to socialize, or just enjoy the hum of activity as you do your own thing. Sip a drink, read the paper, or work on your laptop in the re:mix(SM) lobby or w xyz(SM) bar, where lighting and music change throughout the day to set the perfect mood. The hotel’s open flow of features and help-yourself services inspire you to step outside the one-size-fits-all travel routine. Customize your stay and celebrate your style in a place where anything can happen.
So far there about 20 hotels open with another 70! scheduled over the next 3 years. Allegedly, they want to provide the equivalent of a $350 a night hotel for about half price. Bring the comforts of luxury hotels to those who enjoy “suites” but who could otherwise only afford a standard room.
Check them out and give us your feedback!
Obama Posts His Campaign Pledges on LGBT Rights
barack obama gay rights LGBT Turbo Tagger
President-elect Barack Obama has laid out his commitment to LGBT civil rights in an eight-point plan posted on his transition Web site.
It calls for passage of the Matthew
Shepard Hate Crimes Act;
A gender-inclusive Employment
Non-Discrimination Act;
Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell;
Repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act;
Opposition to any attempt to reintroduce an amendment to the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage,
Support for inclusive adoption rights;
and an expanded war on HIV/AIDS.
“Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples.” the transition site says.
The program is identical to Obama’s positions during the campaign and LGBT rights groups said it shows that the president-elect is committed to keeping his word!
Gay Fort Lauderdale Welcomes Wooffest and Miami Celebrates White Party for Thanksgiving
While all the circuit boys will down in Miami for Thanksgiving’s Annual WHITE PARTY, the Bears, Cubs & Daddies will be spending it in Fort Lauderdale for WOOFFEST!
The Cabanas Guest House and Gay Nudist Resort reports that BearCiti said it will be taking over the production of Wooffest starting this year. Wooffest is a yearly event that was created in 2003 by Joe Soler and friends after the unfortunate passing of his partner to suicide. Joe wanted to create an event where he could raise funds and awareness to support suicide prevention and to help those whose lives have been changed by the loss of a loved one.
Wooffest takes place every year during Thanksgiving weekend in beautiful sunny Fort Lauderdale FL. During the weekend you can catch up with old friends and make new lasting friendships with people from all around the world as we all come together to raise funds for a good cause and remember a portion of all the proceeds from the whole weekend are given to non profit agencies which will benefit suicide prevention.
November 26th – 30th, 2008 Check out Wooffest for more details!
The Best of Gay Fort Lauderdale and the New Gay Travel Guide
Why is Steve Guttenberg Naked in New Yorks Central Park?
People do the strangest things…..
Here is a video of Police Academy Star Steve Guttenberg running in New York Citys Central Park . Sounds pretty boring, right? Usually, we would agree, but he runs in the park PANTLESS, nearly every day!
Steve Guttenberg does not have any pants on. There is no frontal exposure, due to laws around You Tube, however was on The Howard Stern Show in August and bragged that he was especially well endowed and that it was a great source of confidence.
When questioned about being pantless in the park, he really offers no explanation. He just says he is getting ready for a new thriller movie project!
Since he does this nearly every day, why hasn’t he been ticketed???
Watch Steve Guttenberg run half naked now!
The Best of Gay New York
Is Dubai the New Miami? Ask Armani, Versace and Cavalli
We told you about PALAZZO VERSACE opening in Dubai a couple months ago. Chilled pools are one thing. Did you know the waterfront palace will boast the world’s first chilled beach – by pumping cold air through pipes under the sand?! How fabulous is that?!
ARMANI also opened hotels in Marrakesh, Milan and Dubai.
And now comes Roberto Cavalli. I guess he figures he bottles Vodka, why not have a nightclub?
Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli becomes the latest designer to take his talent to a hotel project in Dubai. The Fairmont Dubai will be the site of Roberto Cavalli’s first Cavalli Club a new ‘entertainment and night-life’ concept. In Dubai, Cavalli is planning a two-story club with a separate entrance from the Fairmont Dubai. The floors will be done in shiny black quartz with reflective crystal dust and tall walls of Swarovski crystals create sparkling curtains. Want to shop late at night? The ground floor will showcase jewelry, watches and exclusive accessories from the Cavalli Maison. There will also be selection of refined food products chosen by Roberto Cavalli to express the best of ‘Made in Italy.”
Upstairs, an Italian restaurant is at center of the hall, while on either side of the Italian restaurant, there are are two large atolls in gold-colored glass and fur, suspended from the floor, which host a sushi bar and a wine bar featuring Cavalli Selection red wine. The upper floor also features a lounge bar with music and a suspended platform that will host the DJ and the dancers, as well as other entertainment and shows. The Cavalli Club Dubai will open in November 2008, with Cavalli set to take his party to Florence and Milan later.
Speaking of Italy, if anyone happens to be going there this month, MOI would love a set of those fabulous little Cavalli Coke Bottles!
Roberto Cavalli teamed up with the Coca-Cola to re-design the classic Diet Coke bottle.
The new bottles will be distributed in a limited edition of 300,000 units from now till December, but only in Italy .
I WANT THEM!
Hurricane Gustav Shuts Down New Orleans and Gay Southern Decadence
Southern Decadence was just getting started and the Mayor shut down the city. 25,000 – 30,000 tourists fled the city Saturday, when the mayor called for a mandatory evacuation. The Mayor also asked organizers of Southern Decadence to shut down all festivities.
As of now, there is no discussion of refunds for tickets to cancelled parties. But in the post-mortem, expect some agonized discussions about whether to continue the party next year.
While it has helped get a troubled city back on its feet, it also takes place during hurricane season. And it may be more difficult to attract out-of-towners in wake of Katrina and now, Gustav.
Not So Gay Venice and Carnevale Italy
Gay author writer Truman Capote said it best: “Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.”
The “floating city” Venice is built on one hundred and seventeen small islands, and holds one hundred and fifty canals, connected by an amazing four hundred and nine bridges, of which only three cross the main canal.
While most tour guides don’t recommend getting lost in the majority of cities during your Venice vacation, Venice is the place to get hopelessly lost for a day. Through the mysterious alleyways leading off from the city, endless mazes of backstreets and deserted squares, on your Venice trip, you’ll find that this city is a perfect place to walk for hours on end, pretending to know where you are.
While it’s not a very gay city, it very beautiful. But beuaty aint cheap honey! Venice is one of the world’s most enchanting and expensive cities. You do pay a price, literally and figuratively, for all this beauty. Everyone leaves complaining about the outrageous prices, which can be double what they are elsewhere in the country.
When we last checked there was one gay bar town that had closed! So not much in the way gay nightlife. Shopping is very expensive as are rooms and loadging.
“A Carnevale Ogni Scherzo Vale.” It means: anything goes at carnivale. Before Lent, before Ash Wednesday, before Easter, there is Mardi Gras – and nowhere is the party more boisterous than Carnevale in Venice. There are lavish parades, luxuriant masquerade balls, and spontaneous parties in the streets as the celebration lasts for almost two weeks. Costumes and masks abound, both ornate and simple. The point is not always the gaudiness of the fabric or the construction of the Carnevale masks, but the anonymity they provide the bearer with. With your mask on, you are pardoned your sins. With the mask on, anything goes.
Carnevale is a meeting point for gay people, but apart from that, although it’s a marvellous city, if you’re looking for gay-specific action, Venice has not much to offer to the GLBT community, that’s why most gay people go to Padua (Padova), which is a short hop from Venice, for a drink in the evening or looking for some relaxation in a sauna.
Tuscany is trying to woo the gay travel dollar there. For the second year in a row, the mayor of Viareggio, in the Tuscan region of Italy, has extended an invitation for gay and lesbian travelers to visit the towns of Viareggio and Torre del Lago. This area is where the famous musician Giacoma Puccini was born.
Gay life is getting hot and popular in Tuscany – openly gay and lesbian pubs, restaurants, and shops; open and proud gay men and lesbians; rainbow flags; and lots of travelers coming from all over Italy and other countries. That’s a far cry from the Italy most travelers think of – the Vatican, the Fall of Rome artifacts, the Pope, and girls in black dresses. Some even say the area is on the way to becoming the fad of Italy.
Gay Friendly Italy Pink Agenda Italy
Southern Decadence Gay Party in New Orleans Labor Day
Southern Decadence started thirty-seven years ago as a simple going-away party. As a top gay Labor Day Weekend destination, it has evolved into one of our world’s major annual events. One of the largest annual celebrations in New Orleans, it has become known as the “Gay Mardi Gras.”
People begin to arrive on the Wednesday before Labor Day, and generally don’t even think about stopping or going home until the following Tuesday.
With over 100,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender participants, and an economic impact estimated to be in excess of $100 million, the city has recognized its importance with an Official Proclamation to welcome the event.
It was so popular, that for a while many hotels would TRIPLE their normal rate, require a 5 night minimum stay, and make your PRE-PAY the entire amount due, with no refunds! And every hotel, always sold out. Since the hurricane and the re-birth or New Orleans, times have changed a bit. And it is currently affordable and some hotels were even offering “deals” as of last week. So it’s a good time to go have fun!
The city’s wildest neighborhood gets even crazier as the French Quarter is packed for the entire event; however, the big day is Sunday. That’s when the Grand Marshal leads the annual parade through the streets beginning at 2 p.m. The 2008 Grand Marshals are Paloma and Tittie Toulouse. The official theme for 2008 is “Decadence Does Disco” and the colors are silver, black and white. There is usually not a parade route. The Grand Marshal makes it up as they go along!
The corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets is generally considered to be the epicenter of Gay New Orleans, and even more so during the Southern Decadence festival weekend. At that intersection is the largest gay nightclub, The Bourbon Pub video bar and The Parade dance club, which is home to the hottest dancers in town. Across the street is Hit Parade Gift and Clothing store. Most of the city’s main gay attractions are located within a few blocks of this intersection.
Chi Chi LaRue, the “Diva of Decadence,” has been the hostess for the past ten years, and returns for 2008 for her 11th anniversary. Performance artist Adam Killian coordinates the incredible stage shows. Cult-comedienne Shirley Q. Liquor returns for 2008 performing to sold-out crowds. The legendary Lady Bunny brings her outrageous show to The Bourbon Pub stage on Friday evening.
The Bourbon Street Extravaganza returns with a free outdoor concert on Saturday afternoon at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets featuring recording artists Deborah Cox, Kimberley Locke, Jeanie Tracy and Thea Austin.
It will be an AMAZING WEEKEND – GET THERE IF YOU CAN
Southern Decadance Online
Womensfest Keywest – September 2nd – 7th
A week of women, sun and fun in beautiful KEY WEST!
The Annual WomenFest attracts women from all over the country to enjoy Key West’s ‘live and let live’ attitude and a host of exciting events.
For the 22nd consecutive year, the island city renowned for its all-embracing diversity is to welcome as many as 5,000 women during the Womenfest celebration.
Set for Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 2-7, the acclaimed event for lesbians and their friends features activities ranging from pool parties and women-only watersports excursions to an art and poetry evening and a group commitment ceremony.
Activities are designed to allow singles, couples and groups of women to experience the atmosphere of openness and acceptance that has made Key West an internationally acclaimed lesbian and gay vacation destination.
The festival is coordinated by the KEY WEST Business Guild, the United States’ oldest LGBT-oriented chamber of commerce-type business organization, and includes a luncheon commemorating the guild’s 30th anniversary.
For women who want to celebrate their partnerships during Womenfest, a group commitment ceremony and champagne brunch are scheduled at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Pearl’s Rainbow, For more information and costs, call (305) 292-1450. Womenfest is to conclude with a “floating tea dance” aboard the catamaran Fury, with entertainment provided by DJ Harmony and festival headliners God-des & She.
Festival information including event prices, ticketing andlodgingis online or call the Key West Business Guild at (800) 535-7797 or (305) 294-4603. Lodging information also can be found on the Florida Keys & Key West site.
LGBT Consumer Index Survey – Win Airline Tickets!
Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI), the San Francisco-based gay and lesbian research, marketing and communications firm, is currently conducting a massive consumer research project – the LGBT Consumer Index™.
Complete the survey by September 14th and you will be entered into a drawing for two roundtrip airline tickets!
TAKE THE LGBT SURVEY NOW.
Which Jonas Brother is GAY???
THE JONAS BROTHERS!
They are an evangelical Christian, Disney-contracted, all-brother boyband who are huge right now in the US, so their first big – and likely unsubstantiated – gay rumour has surfaced. They’ve made it!
BGAY reported “Which of the three Jonas Brothers is in fact gay and has been threatening to defy his parents orders to stay in the closet and may be getting ready to come out very soon?
The boy – who is far from being the virgin all the three brothers claim to be – has been dating a much older guy from The Jonas Brothers’ home town of Wyckoff, New Jersey for several months.
The Jonas Brothers have been playing on their wholesome image as committed Evangelical Christians – their father is a former pastor – and sources fear they may loose their core audience and their lucrative contract with Disney when the truth comes out.”
Traveling Somewhere Exotic? Travel Safely! Be Aware of Hepatitis A & B
Traveling to Asia, Africa, Central or South America or the Caribbean?
Your trip can bring you so much excitement and adventure. But unfortunately, it can also put you at risk for hepatitis A & hepatitis B.
Relax. There’s no need to worry or cancel your plans. Hepatitis A & hepatitis B are two vaccine-preventable diseases that you could encounter while traveling.
By reading up on the facts, you’ll be savvier about the diseases, as well as ways to protect against them.
Go to TRAVEL SAFELY and see if the country you plan to visit poses any risks.
New Gay Travel Guide
The Best Gay Beaches Around The World – Rio, Brazil – Sydney, Australia – Fire Island – Chicago – Florida – Texas – Puerto Vallarta
GAYS AND BEACHES!
A love affair with the sun, water, and nearly naked men! Gay beaches are everywhere … small ones, big ones, hidden ones, sandy ones, rocky ones. Coast to coast, if there are gays around, there must be a gay beach!Some of the most popular gay beaches include:
FIRE ISLAND / NEW YORK – Probably the most famous. Home to two queer communities – for the A-list gay crowd there is the Pines and the everybody-welcome community of Cherry Grove, forever separated by the infamous, forested Meat Rack (aka “The Petting Zoo”). Both boardwalk-lined gayborhoods are carless and hopping in summer, but you may need connections to spend the night here. You just can’t show up and get a room!
Summer weekends are an event on the Island. It takes some planning as well. You’ll need to coordinate train and ferry schedules if you don’t find a place to spend the night. A MUST SEE if you are visiting New York in the Summer!
Florida – In South Beach you have the very gay 12th Street Gay Beach and in Fort Lauderdale you have Sebastian Street Gay Beach. Other gay favorite beaches include the unspoiled John U. Lloyd State Park just south of Fort Lauderdale in Dania Beach and South of the city is the clothing-optional beach at Haulover State Park in North Miami. The gay section of the beach is at the North end. Please note: there are periodic rumors of arrests and raids at the beach. Nude sunbathing is technically illegal in Florida, however it has been tolerated at the north end of Haulover for years.
Farme Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The gay spot at Ipanema Beach is a little to the East of Rua Farme de Amoedo. This is the best place to make friends with locals in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the bars and club scene.
While bears and trannies prefer to meet in Copacabana’s Bolsa, Gay Farme is “Barbie Land”. Barbie is how locals call muscled South Side gay men. Waxing is optional… You don’t have to be in top shape to join the fun, though. Farme is so traditional with the gay community, that even beach vendors display the rainbow flag. You may run into local TV stars, stranded socialites, families with children, there’s a little of everything.
Chicago. Chicago? Most people don’t think of beaches when they think of Chicago, but Chicago is home to 28 miles (45 km) man-made lakefront shoreline. There are twenty nine lakefront beaches in Chicago along the shore of Lake Michigan.
You’ll almost mistake Lake Michigan for an ocean with its vast expanse and seemingly endless shore. With beautiful blue water as far as the eye can see, you may think you’ve gone from Chicago to southern California.
The gay beach is Hollywood Beach. (AKA Kathy Osterman Beach) The gays and gay friendly people hang out at the southern end of the beach. Weather permitting, the gay boys will be out sunnning themselves late April thru October! But any given Sunday in the summer there are about 200-300 people out here.Hippie Hallow – Austin Texas – Situated on 109 peaceful acres, Hippie Hollow is a clothing optional park securely nestled in the natural beauty of the Hill County of Lake Travis, only 20 minutes off Interstate 35, but a world away from the bustle of nearby Austin, a haven for those who wish to escape the rigors of modern life in a safe and comfortable nudist atmosphere. Hippie Hollow is internationally popular for sunbathing and swimming, welcoming visitors from all over the world. You’ll need shoes! It’s very rocky. Many folks (both straight and gay) rent houseboats and cruise around the lake, making for weekends of Southern-style outdoor aqua parties. – Memorial Weekend and Labor Day are big gay SPLASH Weekend Parties.
Sydney Australia has Bondi Beach – If Sydney was famous for anything other than its Gay Life and friendly people, it would have to be her sparkling beaches.
Sydney is among cities of the world whose inner suburbs front onto exceptional ocean Beaches. Even in the brisk winter, one cannot visit Sydney without at least enjoying a drink or a meal overlooking the blue Pacific from one of Sydney many spectacular beaches. Naturally, Sydney’s warmer months from September to April, are the ideal times for visiting Sydney’s beaches.
At Bondi Beach, directly in front of the North Bondi Surf Club – Looking out to sea, this unofficial area is to the left, however you will find gay groups right along the beach. You also have 2 Nude Harbour Beaches – Obelisk Beach and Lady Jane Beach. After many years of flouting the law, Sydney sun-lovers and Naturalists, have got their way and the governing bodies have finally sanctioned nude bathing on these beaches. Also Tamarama Beach (a.k.a. “Glamarama”) may not have the wedgie-Speedo wet dream lifeguards of Bondi Beach to the north, but the views are just as inspirational at this look-at-me gay cove lined with sandstone boulders, under the seaside mansions and sidewalks cafes of a posh Sydney neighborhood.
And we must mention the gay beach in Puerto Vallarta! Looking for a beach resort that offers a traditional Mexican flavor with lots of fun things to do? You might be looking for Puerto Vallarta, where you can lay out on the beach all day or do a gay boat tour with Diana, then cruise around town searching the shops for the best bargains and restaurants all night. And the choices of food are endless! You might have homemade Mexican fare one evening and dine at a 5 star epicurean delight the next!
Puerto Vallarta’s most popular beach, Playa de los Muertos, is located just south of the malecon and the River Cuale. This beach is surrounded by the neighborhood of Olas Altas (Old Town or Zona Romantica), with it’s indescribable variety of restaurants and shops. It is lined with beach front hotels and restaurants and is usually bustling with activity, sun worshipers by day, the dining and nightlife crowd after dark. The beach front bars and restaurants in this area are a great place to catch one of the incredible Vallarta sunsets.
One section of the beach is very gay, around
the beach concession commonly known as the blue chairs, which sits in front of the Blue Chairs Resort. So many gays now come to the beach area it has to spread to neighboring chairs as well! In this area you’ll find hundreds of gay men and women sitting under the palapas (thatched umbrellas) or on towels nearer the surf line, soaking up the hot Mexican sun and socializing with gays from all over the world. Waiters can bring you drinks and food all day, so you never have to get up if you don’t want to! – They throw an awesome parties over Thanksgiving called VALLARTA FEVER and LATIN FEVER!Tell us your favorite beach!
The New Gay Travel Guide –
Gay travel, gay news and gay events from around the world!
PARIS HILTON FOR PRESIDENT ….Her Answer to McCain
paris hilton campaign 2008 vote 2008 barack obama john mccain Turbo Tagger
The cyber world was abuzz yesterday over the mock-campaign commercial with heiress, celebutant, reality-show star and one-time jailbird Paris Hilton giving it back to GOP presidential candidate John McCain for using Hilton and fellow blond starlet Britney Spears in a recent campaign ad attacking Democratic rival Barack Obama’s celebrity status.
Rihanna for Vice President? Maybe Paris and Nicole will patch things up….
Watch the Paris Hilton for President Video.
Beach Read – Life with My Sister Madonna
madonna christopher ciccone guy ritchie rupert everett life with my sister madonna Turbo Tagger
As Madge celebrates the big 50 this month, her brother Christopher has unveiled his book, Life with My Sister Madonna. And he probably won’t be going to her big party!
He always looked up to her growing up, and had been her best friend up until recently. Christopher worked closely with Madonna over the past 30 years – he was the stage designer on two of her tours. Helped her decorate her house. The falling out wasn’t on Madonna’s end or Christopher’s, but rather Madonna’s husband Guy Ritchie. Gay Actor Rupert Everett said Ritchie is “uncomfortable around queens.”
It’s a pretty extraordinary tale of what it’s like growing up and being close to one of the most famous female entertainers in the world. It’s a voyeuristic view, one sided, naturally. But hey, if we all wrote a book about someone we were close to for 48 years, it would be pretty darn accurate. – It’s not a slanderous book – despite what the press or Madonna fans might be saying.
When she became famous, he tagged along, thrilled by the glamour. Yet however google-eyed or off his head he may have been, Christopher is clearly a shrewd observer. He points out that Sean Penn, Madonna’s first husband, was ‘a dead ringer for our father’. Later on, he claims that Madonna was initially attracted to Guy Ritchie – whom he plainly detests – because he reminded her of Penn.
Not surprisingly, the absurdly macho Penn and the oscillatingly camp Ciccone do not hit it off. Penn, however, is determined to forge a bond and there’s a very funny scene where he persuades Ciccone to become his blood-brother – he cuts their thumbs and presses them together. Six years later, Penn comes up to Ciccone at a party and asks nervously, ‘You don’t have AIDS, do you?’ Ciccone is not amused. ‘I give him an unprintable answer, then walk away.’
What’s fascinating about Life with My Sister Madonna is the way in which she toys with her brother, alternately leaning on him, and then shoving him aside. Always, though, he comes back for more. Chistopher says, “she treats me as if I am nothing other than a serf paid to decorate her house.” He writes about how cheap Madonna is, especially in light of how much money she makes. In 2001, Richie and Madonnas worth were said to be worth $260 million. And Madonna had the highest female annual income in Britain of $43.8 million dollars. Ciccone writes that Madonna perpetually underpaid him, disputed payments and blackmailed him over money. For example, he would not get paid unless he took Kabbalah classes with her. She always passive – agressive.
A compelling read – whether you like Madonna or not. It’s a glimpse of what goes on in the real-life of a celebrity “behind the curtain.”
BUY IT AT AMAZON Life with My Sister Madonna
EuroGames in Barcelona and The Gay Circus
EuroGames 2008 just wrapped up in Barcelona this week. “Provisional figures show that we had about 5,300 participants, which makes this 12th edition of the EuroGames the most important in terms of participation.” More than 1,000 volunteers help this make one of the most successful events yet!
Besides all of the sports and hot athletes (men and women!) everyone was buzzing about THE GAY CIRCUS!
After more than two years of gestation was born in Barcelona, The Gay Circus, a premiere international absolutely a new concept of circus acrobatics based on male and female-oriented audiences gay friendly, ie a show directed to all people without prejudice. For people who accept gays and lesbians and understand that they too are human and can love. – Imagine Cirque du Soleil, but all gay with a gay story!
27 world renowned artists took part in this unique event; artists who have been prize-winners in the most important circus festivals (Monaco, Amsterdam, Paris, Budapest, Massy …) and celebrities in the most famous rings worldwide.
The two hour show where expressiveness, sensuality and poetry fuse with one single goal: a careful staging where light, music, costumes and stage effects wrap the challenging physical performances of the acrobats and dancers, achieving an up-to-date, modern and attractive aesthetic.
After more than two years of gestation was born in Barcelona, The Gay Circus, a premiere international absolutely a new concept of circus acrobatics based on male and female-oriented audiences gay friendly, ie a show directed to all people without prejudice. For people who accept gays and lesbians and understand that they too are human and can love. – Imagine Cirque du Soleil, but all gay with a gay story!
27 world renowned artists took part in this unique event; artists who have been prize-winners in the most important circus festivals (Monaco, Amsterdam, Paris, Budapest, Massy …) and celebrities in the most famous rings worldwide.
The two hour show where expressiveness, sensuality and poetry fuse with one single goal: a careful staging where light, music, costumes and stage effects wrap the challenging physical performances of the acrobats and dancers, achieving an up-to-date, modern and attractive aesthetic.
The Gay Circus big top was set up in the heart of Barcelona, in Moll of Barceloneta. A comfortable, innovative and beautiful venue – sold out 4 nights! 5,000 people got to witness the magic of these performers.
From lack of knowledge, one could argue that Gay Circus is an event opportunistically set in this frame in order to exploit, once again, the economic power of the gay community.
Also one could argue if there’s an actual need to label the show as “gay”. All these misconceptions are far from reality.
In the same way we can talk about the existence of a pop, rock or hippie culture, there is also a gay culture. We identify certain colors, music, lifestyle, mentality, amusement as genuinely gay. Only this would be reason enough for staging a show.
But Gay Circus goes beyond. Very often the circus has translated the partner dance to the trapeze, acrobatics or contortion. We frequently attend to circus performances that present a love story as the common thread of the show… but this is always between people of different sex!
The acts in Gay Circus shows with pride homosexual love with the hope that one day future generations will be able to attend a “conventional” circus and find there, with normality, acts that now belong to Gay Circus.
The show builds from the basis of referents from literature (Death in Venice, Divine Comedy o A Midsummer Night’s Dream), painting (Masaccio’s Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, Sorolla’s Children on the Seashore, Goya’s monsters in his prints, Velazquez’s Apollo in the Forge of Vulcano), sculpture (the faun in the Louvre or the kouros in the British Museum), photography (Pierre et Gilles), and cinema (Pink Narcissus, Passolini). These sources translate in a careful staging where lights, costumes, stage effects and music wrap the challenging physical performances of the acrobats and dancers.
The Gay Circus was an amazing high-quality show set within the framework of Euro Games 2008, the biggest homosexual sports event in the world! It is safe to say that Gay Circus was the greatest cultural gay event in Europe in 2008.
Let us hope and pray, with all the talent and hard work that went into this, there will be an international tour! We will keep you posted!
Watch a clip – Gay Circus – Swinging From A Chandelier!
and this one – Gay Circus – Hot Acrobats!
New York Public Library Presents Kenn Duncan Retrospective
A major retrospective exhibition of Kenn Duncan’s work, Focus on the 70s: The Fabulous Photography of Kenn Duncan, including many of the images which will be seen in the fourth coming book Divas!: The Fabulous Photography of Kenn Duncan (Photography), (October 2008, Universe Publishing)
will be on view at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center
starting this week
through October 25, 2008.
Photographs of an effervescent Bette Midler twirling barefoot in a summer dress, a sensual Alexander Gudonov staring intently into the camera, a youthful Diane Keaton with the cast of Hair, and an ethereal portrait of transgender Andy Warhol superstar Candy Darling wrapped in furs are all part of a comprehensive exhibition featuring materials from the archive of renowned portrait and fashion photographer Kenn Duncan.
Duncan was an amazing artist who truly shined in the 1970’s. This retrospective of Duncan’s 20-year career features approximately 400 photographs and includes his iconic images of Mikhail Baryshnikov, Eartha Kitt, Angela Lansbury, Peter Martins, Bette Midler, the cast of Hair, as well as selections of his nudes, his fashion portfolios, and his work with hundreds of celebrities including shock rock legend Alice Cooper, Al Pacino, and Christopher Walken.
Focus on the 70s: The Fabulous Photography of Kenn Duncan is on display in the Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, and Admission is free!
Read more about Kenn Duncan and the NYPL exhibit online!
Pre-order the fourthcoming book
Divas!: The Fabulous Photography of Kenn Duncan (Photography) now and SAVE!
(Divas! © by The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations ,
Universe Publishing, 2008.)
The Best of Gay New York and the New Gay Travel Guide
