President Obama might not have been planning to support gay marriage until closer to the Democratic convention, but the decision to make the call last week has paid BIG MONOPOLY MONEY! His new love for the gays brought a mighty $21 million into his campaign account in a matter of days.

According the cute political dude we made-out with last night, the five fundraisers Obama has attended since his endorsement have brought in at least that much. The haul was aided in large part by the $15 million fundraiser at the home of super-hunk George Clooney.

The cash underscores how Obama quickly managed to paint GOP candidate Mitt Romney as intolerant/idiotic and divert attention from the s0-so economy.  And it doesn’t hurt that a few days later, we found out Mitt Romney was a big old bully.  The president’s fundraiser  this Monday with Living La Vida Homo Ricky Martin was just the latest venue where Obama was able to tout his administration’s fight for gay rights,  and raise MUCHO money on the side.

But the New York Times/CBS News poll indicated the issue might not resonate all that much in trying economic times. While it showed gay marriage as the top issue for just 7 percent of voters, an overwhelming majority picked the economy as the No. 1 issue in the upcoming election.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said last Thursday that, for the administration, the economy remains the top matter of concern.

“The president’s focus … has been and will continue to be on jobs and the economy,” Carney said. “That’s been the — creating greater security for a middle class in this country that has been under stress for a long time, even predating the Great Recession, has been No. 1 priority.  It was his No. 1 priority when he ran for office, for this office, and it has been his priority since he took the oath of off

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Superstar rapper, record mogul, Beyonce husband, and new father Jay-Z says he STRONGLY believes gay people deserve the right to get married, and also claims that discriminating against a LGBTQ person is the same as discriminating against a black person.

The rapper-legend discussed the issue with CNN,  saying President Obama’s decision to come out in support of gay marriage was “the right thing to do.”  Of course it was!  If it wasn’t for the gays, he’d have to by his little girl Blue Ivy all her stuff – since Mama Beyonce wouldn’t have any cash! We homosexuals have been supporting THAT diva for years!

Jay-Z’s endorsement of gay marriage did a lot more for me than anything President Obama – in a different way.
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Shawn ” Jay-Z” Carter  has absolutely zero vested interest at this point in delving into political matters. He has no reason to speak on the matter, other than to do what he feels is the right thing.  Secondly, it cannot be overlooked that hip-hop currently stands as a culture where homosexuality is often not tolerated.  It is still considered the utmost insult to insinuate or accuse someone of being a homosexual on a record, a mindset that’s been so perverted that term ‘no homo’ has become regular parlance for all ages.

In short, complimenting or appreciating the artistry, clothing or anything remotely emotional about a person of the same sex has become so taboo, that all potential classifications have to be qualified with ‘no homo.’ It’s a stupid, immature, super-bigoted and NASTY term that I hope goes away with Shawn Carter’s recent comments.

If arguably the best rapper of his generation can go on television and support marriage equality, surely a few of his music fans can see it – and mabye more a bit closer to tolerance. I’m not expecting rappers to start swapping kisses, but maybe getting a bit more homo-friendly would be nice.

“I’ve always thought it as something that was still holding the country back. What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love,” explained the prophet Jay-Z!
He continued, “That’s their business. It’s no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.”

Hopefully, Jay-Z’s words can lead generations of music fans out of the fog when it comes to being an open-minded and accepting citizen of the world.

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I’ll be honest. I am soooooo over Andy Cohen.

Cohen, the big programming honcho at Bravo, absolutely deserves credit for helping put the channel on the map, creating or guiding such super-hits as  “The Housewives“ franchise, “Queer Eye“, “Project Runway“ and many more of your most addictive reality hits. Good for you Andy, good for you!

Cohen is – like many homos – a fame-whore.  So who can fault him when he used his power at the network to slowly get his jew-cy mug on television. Sure, I’d do it too.  First he did all those damn reunion specials, then sporadic late-night gabfests, and now – a daily late-night talk-show “Watch What Happens: Live.”

When does he have time to sleep?  Is he still running the network, or did he hire some rent boy to do it?  And he wrote a MEMOIR!  A MEMOIR!  Like he is famous or interesting!  His ghost-written page-turner is called “Most Talkative.”  I didn’t read it. Maybe some weekend on the beach when I’m gassy and can’t sit with the gang.

Further trying to fill that big black hole in his bottom, the 43-year-old talked to the editors of Entertainment Weekly (May 11, 2012) about his intentions in talking directly to ever-growing fan base:

“I wanted to tell a dream-come-true story about a closeted gay kid who loved pop culture to an out adult man making pop culture. I went from being told when I was 21 that I should never go on TV because of my crossed eyes to winding up being a Housewives whisperer and talk-show host. It’s also kind of a how-to for people who want to break into the entertainment business.”

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Yesterday, President Obama was the POSSIBLY best President in history on LGBTQ rights. Seriously!  I did the research.  (Dick reads the papers!)

He had repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

He had stopped defending Section 3 of DOMA.

He had enforced hospital visitation rights for LGBTQ Americans.

He had hosted the first ever White House Conference on Bullying Prevention.

He had lifted the ban prohibiting those with HIV/AIDS from entering the U.S..

And had signed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law.

Then, today, he endorsed gay marriage.
So…While we tend to stay VERY unpolitical on this site. I mean, frankly, I’m a Libertarian…. (In the last election, I voted for Alfred E. Newman!)  But, no matter what party you belong to – all of us gays should be celebrating today’s milestone!  Save the political differences for another day, the partisan power-plays can wait till next week. Today – and this weekend – let’s celebrate! Let’s get Loud & Queer!

Dear Dick,

I am a 26 year-old gay man living in Michigan.  My best friend, recently told me he wants to live his life as a woman – not as a gay man. He has given this a lot of thought, and I am sure he is serious about it. But, while I support his decision and want him to be happy. I am concerned that he will encounter problems and hatred – especially in his office.  Am I wrong for telling him  (he is 6’4 and does not look feminine) that he would make it in the professional world more as an effeminate man? I understand his desire to cross-dress in his social and personal life, but I think he will get resistance at the office. 

How can I be supportive and helpful?

Any help appreciated. 

Carl

Dear Carl,

Bravo for you being so supportive and loving of your friend, especially during what must be an amazing journey is undertaking…

Your comment, although given from an obviously loving space, is unfortunately misplaced.

Is a transgendered person really cross-dressing, or dressing the gender they feel they are?

Dressing as a woman in his professional life – is probably even more important to him as his personal life. Living your life as what you ARE – is important to everyone. It’s why so many gay men come-out of the closet, so they can live their life with honesty and dignity. Your friend, is embarking upon what will be a very emotional and hard journey – and he will encounter prejudice.  Sadly, their will be people who don’t understand and hate him.  But, you have to be supportive of his – excuse me, HER – decisions.  You have to let him know that the transformation she is undertaking is right, valid, and wonderful.

In fact,  USA transgender individuals are now federally protected in the workplace against discrimination under Title VII, harassment  could result in a civil action at the EEOC if you failed to hire a transgender job applicant.

Below, I’ve got some good links that I encourage you – and your friend – check out. I’m not a psychologist, or a counselor. Hell, I’m not even a very good writer!  I don’t want to be the ONLY person you ask for advice and support!

Transgender 101 | glaad.org    Learn More About The Transgender Community With These Resources

Gender Identity resources | gendercentre.org.au  Do you work with gender diverse people? Download factsheets here.

Transgender Resources | hrc.org    Find information and resources for & about the transgender community.

Yeah, yeah, yeah I hear you kids- YES, Abercrombie & Fitch and Urban Outfitters are YOUR fondly remembered brands…..But some of us Gen X-ers remember back a bit further….

So, it made my big (old) gay hart gow two sizes bigger when The Gap debuted a big old gay in Los Angels!  Look at that stuff!  Homo-heaven!ter la

Sure, they are kind of a little late to the game. For a retailer that has employed (my first boyfriend Cliff was a Gap manager!) and clothed more homo’s then Halston, they are a bit overdue for some target marketing to the butt-pirates. I mean, we’ve had to subsist on Abercrombie & Fitch homo-erotica for years!  Still, better late then never.  For a company so firmly engrained in suburbia, this is awesome!

I’ve discovered the most important new product since Camel Wides!

Wine drinkers, alcoholics, lushes of all shapes and sizes, lend me your ear and your kidneys!  Look here, at Mercer’s Wine Ice Cream!

According to their website:

At Mercer’s, we produce true wine ice cream. This is not just wine-flavored ice cream. In fact, the formula is trade-secreted by Mercer’s Dairy.

For the ultimate pairing, Mercer’s Wine Ice Cream is available in the following varietals:

• Cherry Merlot
• Chocolate Cabernet
• Peach White Zinfandel
• Port
• Red Raspberry Chardonnay
• Riesling

With 5 percent alcohol, you must be 21 years of age or older to enjoy.

5% alcohol!  How much ice cream do I have to stuff into my snack-loving mouth to get drunk on this shit?  I can’t wait!  Now, dessert time is happy hour!  Sugar high, brain-freeze, and loss-of-morals-and-judgement-due-to-alcohol all rolled into one cold little package!

Now this isn’t just a quart of Ben & Jerry’s you poured your E & J into. (Do NOT try that at home. Will not work!) This is real foodie/Top Chef kinda slurp. Mercer’s actually won 2008 Wine Ice Cream World Taste Champion. (Which, frankly, sounds like some faux event made-up by a nutty publicist in Atlantic City. “I know, we will host the Wine Ice Cream World Taste Championship! Then people will come to our nickle slots!)

Now, before you start to completely rewrite your weekend dinner menu – there is a small problem.  This stuff is not going to be sold at your local corner store. Since it has alcohol in it, and you know drinking laws and stuff – its kind of hard to get….Unless you live in New York, where you can buy at your local Whole Foods.  (Road trip!)

Frankly, this is going to make my life so much easier.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up in bed with wine bottles and ice cream containers strewn around the room. Now, much less mess.  Kids – this is going to make binge eating post-break-up  SO  MUCH  BETTER.

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Things are getting tougher and tougher in Mother Russia for the burgeoning LGBTQ set there.  I”ve often wanted to take a little field trip/missionary (position) work there – you know, spread my gay fabulosity to the masses – but it looks like its getting down right hateful and super-homophobic!

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Multi-platinum global superstar Nelly Furtado has revealed the title and release date of her upcoming fifth album. The Spirit Indestructible will be released on June 19th, with the album’s first single “Big Hoops (Bigger is Better),” released last week!  Did you iTunes it? It’s freakin’ awesome!

Furtado co-wrote each song on The Spirit Indestructible, which finds her working with an array of collaborators, including hip-hop songwriter-producer Salaam Remi (Furtado’s “The Night is Young,” Nas), pop songwriter-producer Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Lady Gaga), veteran metal producer Bob Rock (Metallica), Dutch DJ and EDM producer Tiesto, rock songwriter and producer John Shanks, and Jamaican reggae producer Da Genius. A deluxe version of the album will feature several bonus tracks, including Furtado’s collaborations with Fraser T. Smith (Adele), producer and Passion Pit lead singer Mike Angelakos, and a track featuring the Kenyan Boys Choir that Furtado produced herself.

“I began writing these songs around the time I released my Spanish album Mi Plan,” Furtado says. “I was in a great headspace, feeling refreshed and ready to really deliver in English again. This album is all about positivity, youth, good energy, and the relentlessness of the spirit. I want people to live this music the way we did when we wrote it.
I want them to jump, dance, scream, laugh, cry, love, and vibe to it, and to turn it up very loud everywhere.”

The Canadian-born singer, songwriter, actress, super-hot-babe and philanthropist, is of Portuguese descent – which explains her AMAZING complexion. And did you know Nelly is not just a hit-maker here in the U.S. of A., but has also enjoyed a vibrant career as a multi-language superstar. 2000’s double-platinum Whoa, Nelly!, which spawned “I’m Like A Bird,” followed by 2003’s gold Folklore, whose “Forca” became the official anthem of the 2004 European Cup Football Championship. In 2009, she released her first Spanish-language album, the Latin Grammy Award-winning Mi Plan, which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Latin Billboard chart and swept Canada’s Juno awards with five wins including Album of the Year.