Justin Sayre Of 'The Meeting' Sounds Off On Misogyny In The Gay Community
In his latest video for HuffPost Gay Voices, writer-actor Justin Sayre humorously tackles Rose McGowan’s recent claims about gay men and misogyny.

“It’s true — we’re not nice to women,” Sayre says in the clip. “Those girls — let’s be honest — they saved our lives in high school. If you didn’t have a beard you could take to a prom, what were you doing?”

Noting that he attended 24 proms during his high school years, he added, “I looked great in a suit, I loved to dance and I was not gonna bring you home pregnant. I was a perfect prom date.”

Sayre’s “International Order of Sodomites” (I.O.S.) gathers once a month for “The Meeting,” honoring an artist or a cultural work that is iconic to the gay community. Previous editions have been dedicated to Cher, Karen Carpenter and Stephen King’s “Carrie.”

The holiday installment of “The Meeting,” which features guests Lady Rizo, Julian Fleisher, David Drake, Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson, hits New York’s Joe’s Pub on Dec. 7.

In other news, “Sparkle & Circulate with Justin Sayre,” the official I.O.S. podcast, has just released its second episode, featuring an interview with writer and talk radio host Frank DeCaro.

Meanwhile, you can also view some previous performances from “The Meeting” on Sayre’s official YouTube page. For more Sayre, head to Facebook and Twitter.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/05/justin-sayre-gay-misogyny_n_6276100.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Five Reasons Why Homophobia Is The Only Possible Reason The FDA Won’t Change Its Ban On Gay Blood Donors

Since 1983, the FDA has placed a blanket ban on blood donations from anyone who has had sex with another man at any time since the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. The ban was instituted as hysteria about the AIDS epidemic was growing and blood screening technology hadn’t been instituted to detect the virus in blood donations. The FDA insists that the decision, now in its fourth decade is “based on the documented increased risk of certain transfusion transmissible infections, such as HIV, associated with male-to-male sex and is not based on any judgment concerning the donor’s sexual orientation.”

Bull.

As the FDA hearings on the ban this week have shown, there is no good scientific reason why gay men and men who have sex with men are singled out for treatment that no one else receives. The FDA insists that it’s concerned about the safety of the blood supply, but here are five good reasons why the agency seems to be motivated by anything but science.

1. The FDA is more lenient with straight men. Have unprotected sex with a female prostitute, and you have to wait a year before you can donate blood. Watch a Judy Garland movie anytime since Gerald Ford was president, and you’re a leper for life.

2. The agency doesn’t differentiate what kind of gay sex. The science proves that unprotected anal sex is a high-risk behavior for HIV transmission. Other types of sex don’t carry anything like the same risk. But the FDA doesn’t care what kind of sex you had, just that you had it with another man. In the FDA’s book, mutual masturbation is as good a reason to ban gay blood donors as unprotected anal sex.

3. Monogamy? Never heard of it. In a monogamous relationship? The FDA doesn’t care and it’s not about to take your word for it in any case. It just care that you’re knocking boots with another man. Imagine if they applied the same standard to heterosexual married couples.

4. Multiple experts have called the ban nonsense. The American Medical Association, the American Red Cross, and the American Association of  Blood Banks have all called on the FDA to change its policy on the grounds that its not based on sound science. A one-year deferral, which is common in many countries, would make more sense than a lifetime ban, they argued and would result in one additional transfusion-related infection every 32 years.

5. The technology is incredibly advanced. The most commonly used test to screen blood donations will detect HIV within nine days of the donor becoming infected. The risk of transmission from a donation is from anyone who just become infected with HIV within a little more than the past week. From the way the FDA acts, you think that science has stood still since Reagan was president.

The FDA panel that held hearings to consider lifting the ban was unable to come to any conclusion after two days of “heated deliberations.” The heat seems to come from something other than cold hard science. In the meantime, the agency seems intent on reminding us that the hysteria that fueled the response to the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s is still alive and kicking.

JohnGallagher

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/C5qK9FD2IPw/five-reasons-why-homophobia-is-the-only-possible-reason-the-fda-wont-change-its-ban-on-gay-blood-donors-20141205

'Christmas With The Crawfords' To Premiere In NYC
A beloved New York tradition is slated to return this holiday season — and some of the city’s most iconic drag queens are going to be a part of it.

“Christmas with the Crawfords,” the hilarious holiday musical comedy, will hit NYC’s Abrons Art Center this December. Among the cast for this show is drag legend Joey Arias, starring alongside Sherry Vine, “Project Runway” veteran Chris Marsh and Connie Champagne.

“Christmas with the Crawfords” is based on an actual Christmas Eve live radio broadcast with the Crawford family in the 1940s.

The Huffington Post chatted with three of the show’s stars this week about their involvement with the production and what attendees can expect.

The Huffington Post: Why did you want to do this show?
Joey Arias: I wanted to see this show come back to New York after such a long absence — 12 years — because everyone needs to smile and laugh right now with everything going on in the world. New York is known for its great theater and pushing the envelope OFF Broadway, and this really does it in a big way. CWTC is also a metaphor in many ways — although a very twisted one! But when something goes wrong, some good comes out of it. And I love playing the role of Joan Crawford because she believed in herself until the very end. Even though she was out of the loop she always saw herself as THE QUEEN of silver screen — and more! Believing in myself has been how I’ve kept going this long so it’s perfection!

Chris March: I have done the show seven times now in various places and incarnations, but never as Christina. It’s the part I’ve always wanted to play. I guess I just relate to a vengeful, bitter ten-year-old girl who gets beaten by her insane mother with wire hangers. Hmmm… what does that say about me? Plus, I’m also the costume designer (nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costumes) and this show is an amazing visual treat!

Sherry Vine: I really wanted to do this show ever since I saw it the first time they did it in NYC years ago. I just thought it was a laugh riot and over the top. So, of course, I’m always down for that!

Why is this cast the perfect cast to do it?
Joey Arias: The cast is amazing! Donna Drake [director] and Richard Winchester [producer] were recasting because many of the San Francisco cast could not come to New York — except for Connie Champagne who is legendary for her portrayal of Judy Garland. Chris March is also an original cast member and costume designer — a beautiful marriage! Sherry Vine is from theater and is living for this… and Flotilla de Barge is perfect as Hattie MacDaniel (Mammy in “Gone With The Wind”). The other new members I’d never met before but they are so on fire with these characters. I stand there looking at them and think how strong they are in their commitment to this production. The casting was perfect! And of course… ME AS JOAN CRAWFORD?! I mean, who else?

Chris March: Every cast is different, and this year we have seasoned New York veterans sharing the stage with some fresh emerging talent. The dynamics are new and exciting, and you never know what’s going to happen. And let’s face it — who doesn’t want to see Joey Arias play the now legendary villain role of Joan Crawford? Let’s just say I’m not the only one dodging the wire hangers!

Sherry Vine: Well, of course, Joey Arias is perfect. Joey is one of those rare performers who isn’t scared to try anything. I love being onstage with her. This is the first time I’ve worked with many of the other performers and they are all fantastic. Chris March is hilarious as Christina, Flotilla is going to bring the house down with her number and everyone is bringing something special to this production.

“Christmas with the Crawfords” will run from Dec. 10-27, 2014 — head here for tickets and information.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/05/christmas-with-the-crawfords_n_6271392.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

HRC President Chad Griffin: “The Time Has Come in this Country for True Federal Equality”

Today HRC President Chad Griffin penned an op-ed for The Advocate to underscore the need for non-discrimination laws protecting LGBT people at the federal level.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrc-president-chad-griffin-the-time-has-come-in-this-country-for-true-feder?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

2015 Grammy Nominees Announced: LIST

Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2014/12/2015-grammy-nominees-announced-list.html

How Florida Could Spread Marriage Equality to Neighboring States

After marriage begins next month in Florida, it might not be long before Alabama and Georgia join in.

read more

Matt Baume

www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2014/12/05/how-florida-could-spread-marriage-equality-neighboring-states

DJ Nick Monaco on Honoring the Queer, Trans Roots of Dance Music

The androgynous deep house musician sounds off on his experiences with defying the gender binary, the rising tides of ‘bro’ culture, and his nonprofit lipstick line that aims to directly benefit trans folks.

read more

Mitch Kellaway

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2014/12/05/dj-nick-monaco-honoring-queer-trans-roots-dance-music