Category Archives: News
Gus Kenworthy Gay Athlete
I am gay.
Wow, it feels good to write those words. For most of my life, I’ve been afraid to embrace that truth about myself. Recently though, I’ve gotten to the point where the pain of holding onto the lie is greater than the fear of letting go, and I’m very proud to finally be letting my guard down.
My sexuality has been something I’ve struggled to come to terms with. I’ve known I was gay since I was a kid but growing up in a town of 2,000 people, a class of 48 kids and then turning pro as an athlete when I was 16, it just wasn’t something I wanted to accept. I pushed my feelings away in the hopes that it was a passing phase but the thought of being found out kept me up at night. I constantly felt anxious, depressed and even suicidal.
Looking back, it’s crazy to see how far I’ve come. For so much of my life I’ve dreaded the day that people would find out I was gay. Now, I couldn’t be more excited to tell you all the truth. Maybe you’ve suspected that truth about me all along, or maybe it comes as a complete shock to you. Either way, it’s important for me to be open and honest with you all. Y’all have supported me through a lot of my highs and lows and I hope you’ll stay by my side as I make this transformation into the genuine me – the me that I’ve always really been.
I am so thankful to ESPN for giving me this opportunity and to Alyssa Roenigk for telling my story to the world. I think about the pain I put myself through by closeting myself for so much of my life and it breaks my heart. If only I knew then what I know now: that the people who love you, who really care about you, will be by your side no matter what; and, that those who aren’t accepting of you are not the people you want or need in your life anyway.
Part of the reason that I had such a difficult time as a kid was that I didn’t know anyone in my position and didn’t have someone to look up to, who’s footsteps I could follow in. I hope to be that person for a younger generation, to model honesty and transparency and to show people that there’s nothing cooler than being yourself and embracing the things that make you unique. Head over to ESPN.com or click the link in my bio to read the full story and keep your eyes peeled for the November issue on newsstands soon! #outinsports#comingout#gay#beyourself#bornthisway
Warwick Rowers 2016
The world’s most famous naked athletes, the Warwick Rowers, are back with their seventh calendar for 2016.
Take a peek behind the scenes at our naked photo shoots on glamorous locations in England and Spain, while they explain why the calendar means so much to us and why they are working to challenge homophobia in sport.
And visit Warwickrowers.org, where you will be able to find calendar, bonus downloads, films, book, posters, prints and a whole lot more! It’s for everyone. WATCH THE SNEAK PEAK
Laverne Cox in Rocky Horror Re Make
Well this is interesting….Following a lengthy casting process, Fox has found the star of its upcoming “Rocky Horror Picture Show” reboot. Laverne Cox has just been cast to play Frank N Furter. Adam Lambert and Lady Gaga previously were offered the part.
The character was made famous by Tim Curry in the 1975 cult classic, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and continues to be screened at midnight in theaters across the country. The two-hour Fox special, due in fall 2016, will be directed, exec produced and choreographed by Kenny Ortega (“High School Musical”) and filmed in advance.
For the uninitiated, Frank-N-Furter is the self-described “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania” and a scientist. The movie is a satire of sci-fi movies and horror B-movies and originally starred Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as a couple who stumble upon Frank-N-Furter’s odd castle in which he is creating a living man in his lab.
Elton John’s 33rd Album
Pablo Hernandez I AM A BOTTOM
WHOO HOO! It’s official!!!!
Bitch I’m A Bottom ft Manila Luzon will be available on iTunes September 4, 2015!!!
Pablo recently performed his song live in Las Vegas and will be in Chicago Spetember 12th, for Gay Night – OUT IN THE PARK @ Six Flags, performing live along with the fabulous AMANDA LEPORE!
PABLO HERNANDEZ is a trained actor and commercial model of Spanish/Lebanese descent based in Los Angeles with an extensive and wide resume. He is a rising star in the acting and commercial modeling industry and currently models for the Andrew Christian line.
His travels have taken him from Miami to Los Angeles, New York City, the Netherlands to shoot for photographer Armando Branco, and Paris to shoot for the cover of Sensitif magazine; to list a few. Pablo was the cover model and feature story for Spain’s Revista Nois 15th anniversary issue and even graced the swimsuit issue of Instinct Magazine shot by Rick Day. His latest venture is the role of Reinaldo, a U.S. soldier, in the short Tribeca film ‘Tunnel Vision’ shooting in the late summer of 2012 in New York City.
Most recently, he was the first ever Andrew Christian model to create, produce, and star in one of their wildly popular short films ‘A Brief Love Affair’, as well as co-starring in ‘Overboard’, ‘Miami Carwash’, and the latest ‘Suck’. In Europe, editorials such as ‘Boyz ‘n Tha Hood’ for French M Mensuel Magazine and “Pablo Bravado” in UK Kismet Magazine have solidified Pablo’s ability to evolve into the fashion world. Pablo’s unique, multiracial look has been seen throughout the world from his Reebok Reelite campaign to his latest book cover modeling for author Jeffrey Sharlach’s latest critically acclaimed novel “Running In Bed” (www.RunningInBed.com).
He can be seen in he latest commercial for Fekkai haircare and played “the nerd” in a KFC commercial for the Latin American market. He has been expanding his acting resume having had featured roles in the new Starz Drama ‘Magic City’ and in the film ‘Step Up: Revolution’ and more recently garnering a role in the film ‘The Ten Year Plan’. Whether acting in a tv commercial or film, or modeling for the cover of international magazines, Pablo is a diverse talent – a hit with fans everywhere who appreciate and acknowledge his talent, sex appeal, hard work, and mega-star potential.
Pablo Hernandez VAMPIRE STRIPPERS
What if MAGIC MIKE meets a gay BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER?!
While the Chippendales perform in London, Paris, and Milan, the men of OVERNIGHT MALE are stuck playing low rent beer bars in Bulgaria. And after six weeks on tour, everyone is getting cranky. The straight strippers and the gay strippers are ready to kill each other, and the only thing holding the group together is their geeky and resourceful tour manager, Jake. No matter what Eastern Europe throws at them, Jake’s been able to handle it: aggressive fans, thieving bar owners, broken buses, and even the occasional need for bail money.
Vampires, though? That’s a new one…
Vampire Strippers Must Die! is a zany comedy about a group of American male strippers on tour in Eastern Europe who are forced to battle an army of bloodsucking undead. It features great dance numbers, epic fight scenes, and lots of funny character moments.
The sexy cast includes fitness supermodels Pablo Hernandez and John Suazo, plus a whole bunch of exciting new talent.
Barbra Streisand Film Guide Book
The Barbra Streisand Film Guide is the ultimate tribute to the Legend’s remarkable career.
Featuring over 600 rare and amazing photographs, several of which have never been published before.
With commentary and interesting facts on her movies, one of the many highlights is the outtake sections, with never-before-seen photos of deleted scenes.
Full color paperback, 268 pages.
Available exclusively on Amazon.The Barbra Streisand Film Guide
Mikey Wax Love Always Wins Anthem
A new anthem for summer 2015!
Singer / Songwriter Mikey Wax has a best friend who is gay. “His words of hope and happiness after the Supreme Court ruling inspired this song. I truly believe that despite race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, love always wins.”
In celebration of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that guarantees a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, on-the-verge pop artist Mikey Wax has unveiled his tribute single “Love Always Wins (#LoveWins)” featuring Prophecy, and RyanSeacrest.com had the exclusive world premiere recently.
The trumpet-laden track, which is the namesake of the viral hashtag inspired by SCOTUS’ 5-to-4 vote, celebrates the historic decision with anthemic lyrics that recognizes the country’s progressive strides and the core reason for decades of same-sex litigation and activism.
E! Entertainment immediately placed the song in their promo commercial for Caitlyn Jenner’s new TV series “I Am Cait”. The promo will run 6-8 weeks!
WATCH AND LISTEN AND CRANK UP THE SOUND!
Stop LGBTQ Discrimination
GREAT! We have Marriage Equality…….now how about LGBT Employment Discrimination? I can marry my partner, but then my boss can fire me if wants to (in most states).
IN A NEW video of real people talking about civil rights progress that’s helped them – and then the big reveal at the end hits you like a gut punch: it’s 2015, and it’s still legal to fire and discriminate against people simply because they’re LGBT.
The newest provocative spot from FCKH8.com (“Potty-Mouthed Princesses”) spotlights that despite progress in so many other areas, laws across the country continue to deny gay people basic anti-discrimination protections on the job.
In the video, available here https://youtu.be/tdVSxmh6YTA , people from various walks of life – women, blacks, disabled people – each identify major civil rights milestones in America. Each speaker represents a year when others like them were finally offered legal protection from discrimination in the U.S. – from African Americans becoming citizens in 1866, to people with disabilities getting access to public places through the Americans with Disabilities ACT in 1990. Each is wearing a T-shirt printed with the year they gained a fundamental right.
When the two gay men holding hands who are the video’s final subject are revealed, their T-shirts display question marks. “It’s 2015, and there is still no federal law protecting LGBT people against discrimination. What’s our year?” they plead.
“In an era when it feels like progress is so rapid, including the Supreme Court ruling that was so important, we knew people would be shocked to discover there’s still this huge national inequality,” video producer Mike Kon said. “It sounds unbelievable and disappointing: you can get married on Saturday, but then you can still be legally fired for being LGBT when back at work on Monday.”
In addition to raising awareness of the issue through its viral video, FCKH8.com is encouraging people to get involved in the conversation on social media and support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), legislation proposed in the United States Congress that would prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by employers. The social-change T-shirt company also encourages people to “speak out and stand out” for the cause with shirts that make provocative, change-motivated statements.
Reacting to the recent untested Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) ruling that found that anti-LGBT job discrimination was already illegal under existing protections based on sex, FCKH8.com activists are pushing for more definitive on-the-job protections. “Congress need stop to step up to the plate and protect LGBT Americans from discrimination and finally pass explicit and clear job protections with ENDA” Kon said.
Gay Day of the Dead Art
Gay Day of the Dead: the art of José Antonio Madrazo
By Sebastián Sáenz
@sebastiaenz
History, traditions and folk culture have inspired artists for centuries in order to show the world their unique perspective. Human beings have developed a special need to express feelings, thoughts and facts though all kinds of materials such as clay, marble, wood, oil, installations, words and even their own body, but José Antonio Madrazo is a particular case. His original proposal shows one of the most popular Mexican celebrations with an unexpected twist: an LGBT version of The Day of the Dead.
Most of us are tired of bringing back home after any trip the same souvenirs: the cheap post card, the t-shirt that will lose all colors after the second wash, and the tacky fridge magnet. That is why José Antonio, located in the breathtakingly beautiful and LGBT friendly San Miguel de Allende (one of the most popular little towns of Mexico), got inspired by this important date in order to celebrate diverse love with his art crafts. The career of this artist started in the early 90s, he has worked with different forms of design, and his current proposal projects his identity, sensitivity, creative voice, humor and Mexican Culture, such as the Day of the Dead.
Mexico’s Day of the Dead is a very ancient tradition that mixes Pre-Colonial, Colonial and folk elements of the Mexican culture. The day of the Dead is an annual celebration to remember the life of the loved ones that are no longer with us. Mexicans build altars with flowers, candles, photographs and objects attached to the person that passed away. They also have hot chocolate, candy skulls and Bread of Dead, a sweet pastry with bone-shaped bread sticks on top. Some people dress as Catrinas, the quintessential character of this party: the grim reaper represented as a feminine skelleton, dressed in a colorful gown with flowers and even a huge hat with bright feathers. Some Mexicans even actually go to graveyards and spend the night of November 1st and 2nd in a huge celebration with music, food and laughter; their on way to make fun of Death, and to enjoy life.
No wonder why José Antonio, along with his team of artisans, have been so inspired. All of his pieces are one of a kind, manicured and can be custom made in order to satisfy every customer’s wishes. He mixes clay figurines with traditional crafting techniques, metal, vintage photographs, images of papers, magazines and board games, and even historic heroes and religious icons. Some of his contemporary, funny, pretty and affordable pieces can even portray same sex figures and jokes.
The world usually relates Mexico to lucha libre, Taco Bell, telenovelas and, in worst cases, Dora the Explorer. Of course these are stereotypes, and even though some of them are based on actual facts, it is well known that a whole country cannot be associated with just a few generalizations. Mexico is a country that offers so much more than what the world sees on news or in a five star resort in Cancun. It is rich in gastronomy, history, infrastructure, technology, science, academia, natural resources, art and cultural and social progress. Maybe its biggest artist is Frida Kahlo, however, there are obviously new artists such as José Antonio, with innovative, interesting, intricate and beautiful work that the world has to know and appreciate.
Michael Snell and Derrick Sorles, partners for 16 years, started collecting Day of Dead art in 2013. They found one of Jose Antiono’s gay themed nichos in 2014 and contacted him about making even more gay themed nichos exclusively for them and began importing them to the US. Gay Day of the Dead Art. Now with the passage of marriage equality growing at leaps and bounds, they hope to serve a whole new market of LGBT collectors.
Translation –
La mayor parte de nosotros estamos hartos de regresar a casa de cualquier viaje con los mismos souvenirs: la tarjeta postal barata, la playera que perderá sus colores después de lavarla dos veces y el imán de mal gusto para el refrigerador. Es por eso que José Antonio, ubicado en el maravillosamente bello y LGBT amigable San Miguel de Allende (uno de los pueblitos más populares de México), se inspiró en esta importante fecha para celebrar el amor diverso en sus artesanías. La carrera de este artista comenzó a principios de los 90s, ha trabajado con diferentes formas de diseño, y su propuesta actual refleja su identidad, sensibilidad, voz creativa, humor y cultura mexicana; como en el caso del Día de Muertos.
Esta fiesta anual es una antigua tradición que mezcla elementos prehispánicos, coloniales y folclóricos de la cultura mexicana. El día de muertos ayuda a recordar a la gente amada que ya no se encuentra presente. Los mexicanos crean altares con flores, velas, fotografías y objetos que los difuntos apreciaban. También toman chocolate caliente, calaveras de dulce y Pan de Muerto, pan dulce cubierto con palos de pan que semejan huesos. Algunas personas se visten como Catrinas, el personaje de esta celebración por excelencia: representa a la muerte como un esqueleto femenino, ataviado con un colorido vestido con flores e incluso un gran sombrero con brillantes plumas. Algunos mexicanos incluso visitan cementerios y pasan las noches del 1 y 2 de noviembre en una gran verbena con música, comida y risas; su manera única de burlarse de la muerte y de disfrutar la vida.
Es evidente por qué José Antonio, junto con su equipo de artesanos, se han inspirado tanto. Todas sus piezas son únicas, delicadamente construidas, y pueden personalizarse para satisfacer cada deseo de sus clientes. Combina figuras de arcilla y metal con técnicas artesanales típicas, viejas fotografías, imágenes de periódicos, revistas y juegos de mesa, y hasta personajes históricos e íconos religiosos. Y claro, algunas de sus piezas contemporáneas, divertidas, bonitas y accesibles pueden mostrar figuras del mismo sexo y chistes.
Gay Days Anaheim @ Disneyland
About 12 weeks away!
It’ll be here before you know it!
GAY DAYS ANAHEIM @ Disneyland!
This is one of our favorite parties – and favorite cities!
Gay Days Anaheim 2015
October 2 – 4
The schedule is awesome this year and you can pick and choose which parties and events you wish to attend. Coco Peru will be back this year and the fabulous WILLAM from Ru Pauls drag race fame. The parties run Friday thru Sunday but I encourage you stay a few more days. There is SO MUCH to see and do in Anaheim and Orange county. CHECK OUT THESE PAST ARTICLES! Shopping, dining, fresh air, art galleries and ocean waves. The historic Packing District showcases culinary offerings and events in a communal gathering space in the heart of downtown Anaheim, and celebrates their one year anniversary next month. You could spend an entire day here.
Discounted Park Tickets Available Now! Click here
Check out the Schedule of Gay Days Anaheim events HERE
Introducing the Gay Days Anaheim Concierge! Click for more information
If you’re not already on the Private Email List, sign up now!
Joey Contreras LOVE WILDLY
The FEEL GOOD song of summer is HERE!
NYC-based, pop/broadway artist, Joey Contreras, announces his brand new music video for “Love Wildly,” featuring the vocals of Eric Krop.
Watch HERE.
The video was featured on The Advocate who called it “A day-in-the-life montage from a sexier Fame.”
IF YOU ARE IN NEW YORK IN JULY, Contreras just announced his appearance at the New York Musical Theatre Festival on Thursday, 7/16.
“Love Wildly” is featured on Contreras’ LP, Young Kind of Love, which showcases sounds of both pop and contemporary musical theatre. The album features notable artists such as Loren Allred (The Voice) and numerous Broadway talents. Contreras was hailed one of Playbill’s “Contemporary Musical Theatre Songwriters You Should Know.”
Beyonce Celebrates Marriage Equality
Beyonce celebrated LGBT pride and SCOTUS’s historical ruling for same-sex marriage with a 17-second remake of her “7/11” video complete with rainbow flags and some killer dance moves.
“Love always wins!” she wrote. LOVE HER!
Pinnacle Pride Rainbow Sherbet
Another delicious winner from Pinnacle vodka!
The only vodka with over 40 playful flavors!
Celebrate LGBTQ PRIDE and the strides that the community has made over the decades (especially the last few years) with a quick, tasty cocktail everyone can enjoy. Perfect for gay pride month! Perfect for a house party punch!
Check out Pinnacle® Pride Punch recipe video here.
Distilled five times for smoothness, this vodka leaves no doubt as to why it’s considered a classic.
Whether in a shot, a simple mixed drink, or a finely crafted cocktail, the original Pinnacle® vodka gives you nothing but the best.
@pinnaclevodka on Instgram
Air Travel Discounts if your Gay!
Airlines offering discount flights to gay people!
An airline has infuriated Republicans – by offering to fly gay people to Pride events across the US for a discount.
Alaska Airlines – which carries the name of the state known more for being the home of anti-gay politician Sarah Palin than for inclusiveness – made the offer as part of an ‘LGBT travel’ stunt.
Though it doesn’t exclusively apply to LGBT people, the airline has discounted flights to Pride events in a number of cities across the US.
It offers flights at a discount to Pride events including LA, New Orleans and Boston – in a move that has infuriated conservatives in the country.
Alaska Air said: “At Alaska, we have been longtime supporters of the LGBT community and remain committed to a more equitable society. We were elated when the State of Washington expressed the same commitment by legalizing marriage for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“To show our continued support we are encouraging the LGBT community to travel, not only to Seattle, but to Pride events and gay friendly destinations all over the country.
“With that aim, we have put together this section of our site to highlight destinations that support marriage equality, Pride celebrations, and other things of interest to the LGBT community.”
Some have decried it as “discrimination” in favour of LGBT people, with one right-wing blogger claiming: “The establishment campaign to promote disease-spreading and culture-corroding perversity has reached the point that Alaska Airlines now implies discounts for homosexuals.
ALASKA AIR
Andrew Christian’s Guys – on Coming Out
IMPORTANT POSITIVE MESSAGES ON COMING OUT!
Those of us who are out, sometimes forget, the struggles, the anxiety, the questioning, that goes on in your mind BEFORE you are out….
Come out! Come Out! Where ever you are!
Gandalf and Dumbledore are getting married!
Dumbledore and Gandalf are getting married across from the Westboro Baptist Church and using CrowdRise to fundraise for Planting Peace.
This Sunday, JK Rowling¹s dream of a wedding between Harry Potter¹s Dumbledore and Lord of the Rings¹ Gandalf will take place. US equality group Planting Peace will be hosting ŒWizards Wed at the WBC¹ – a wedding ceremony between the two wizards at the Equality House located across the street from the anti-gay group Westboro Baptist Church. In lieu of wedding gifts for the soon-to-be-wed Wizards, Planting Peace hopes to raise funds for their mission via a CrowdRise site here: https://www.crowdrise.com/WizardsWed/fundraiser/Planting-Peace.
Aaron Jackson, founder of Planting Peace, created the organization “to take a stand against the hurtful words and actions of hate groups like the WBC,² and so “LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer] youth understand that they have a broad platform of love and support in this world.² The organization is constantly reinforcing this mission through innovative and creative fundraisers on CrowdRise.com, like Virtual Pizza, which raised nearly $80K in response to the Religious Freedom Reformation Act.
More about it here.
³When we read the battle between J.K. Rowling and the Westboro Baptist Church, we instantly connected with Ms. Rowling¹s message on many levels. The Equality House was founded to take a stand against the hurtful words and actions of hate groups like the WBC. People often question why we even mention them, and Ms. Rowling¹s words were spot on. We must actively stand up to hate and ensure that LGBTQ youth understand that they have a broad platform of love and support in this world. That is a core part of what we do at Planting Peace. We are delighted to be hosting the Dumbledore and Gandalf wedding and stand with them in the face of bigotry and celebrate equality for all. The WBC won’t have to go too far to picket this union. They can look out their front window.²- Aaron Jackson/ President Planting Peace
Converse Gay Pride Sneaker
Another Gay Tennis Shoe! First it was Adidas – now it’s Converse that steps out with a pride-related shoe line. (Converse is owned by Nike).
The Converse Pride Collection is honored to join the LGBT movement. Any crusade that hits the streets as loud and passionate as this one definitely needs sneakers to fit the occasion. We happily abide. The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Pride hi-tops are adorned with stylish patterns and every color of the rainbow. Each color represents a special meaning to the community. Each step we take brings us closer to universal tolerance and equality.
Adidas Gay pride Shoe
WOW – this is pretty cool! Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Gay Pride!
Inspired by the unjust treatment of the gay and lesbian community in the 1960’s, adidas shows support for the community at-large with an admirable new release.
Outsole Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 4, 1965 was the first ever LGBT picket.
The same year, adidas named its flagship tennis shoe the “Robert Haillet” after the French tennis pro. That shoe, of course, went on to become the Stan Smith following Haillet’s retirement from the game. It’s now the best selling adidas sneaker of all-time.
Crafted in a bold paint splatter aesthetic, a rainbow undertone is noted through the pack in honor of those affected years ago, and those still struggling for acceptance today. The inspired adidas “Pride” Pack drops on June 6 at select Three Stripes retailers.
I could not find the price yet…lets hope there are lot less than Kanye’s Yeezy’s which are $350!
HIV NEWS – Terry Curry
HIV Equal Online Senior Editor, Tyler Curry, created a short film about the difference between the HIV of today versus the AIDS of yesterday.
This is dedicated to the long-term survivors and the ones we lost in the fight.
#Live
Happy and Gay! Gay Happiness Index
115,000 gay men told us!
Because of the Internet, online gay communities like PlanetRomeo are able to offer support for gay men that they may not be able to get anywhere else. Being at the heart of 1.8 million men globally, we have access to both the audience and resources to do this research for the very first time.
Incredibly, more than 115,000 gay men from all over the world participated in the HAPPINESS survey.
We initiated the research and collaborated with the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz (JGUM), Germany who designed a qualified scientific questionnaire and executed the survey.
ICELAND GAYS were the HAPPIEST.
UGANDA GAYS were the unhappiest 🙁
See how your country stacks up. (United States came in 29th out of 127).
