Jeb Bush Picks Opposition Researcher, Gay Republican Tim Miller For Campaign Team
The Republican campaigns are ramping up, and Jeb Bush has chosen gay Republican Tim Miller for his team.
Michelle Garcia
Chef Art Smith Hosts Mass Gay Wedding On Miami Beach
Chef Art Smith Hosts Mass Gay Wedding On Miami Beach
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — With a mix of elegance and irreverence, only celebrity chef Art Smith could round up his famous chef buddies, a sea of white orchids and a drag queen DJ to pull off a wedding ceremony Saturday for more than two dozen same-sex couples on Miami Beach.
Smith, a Florida native and former chef to Oprah Winfrey and Gov. Bob Graham, is revered by fellow chefs and those in the gay and lesbian community, known as the chef with a big Southern accent and an even bigger heart. When Smith heard that Florida judges had lifted the state’s ban on same-sex marriage last month, he set out to throw an over the top-wedding officiated by chef Guy Fieri, with a stunning cake from Duff Goldman, and a dance party spun by local star Chi Chi LaRue. He invited the first 101 couples to participate in the free wedding, noting he chose the number after the movie “101 Dalmatians” to shame Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has ardently fought to keep same-sex marriage from becoming legal.
“We have our own Cruella De Vil, Pam Bondi. She was determined that she was going to prevent equality from coming to Florida,” Smith said.
“For a state known for sunshine, it was living in the darkness when it came to LGBT rights and it was important to acknowledge that.”
South Beach is also memorable to Smith who met his partner, Jesus Salgueiro, here 15 years ago while in town with Winfrey. Smith went out to buy some flowers for her home. He returned with the flowers and Salgueiro, whom he married five years ago on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with a big ‘ole ceremony where Moby performed.
Nicole Griffin, 43, and Stephanie Swanson, 42, had been waiting a few years to say ‘I do.’ The Tampa couple moved from Indiana shortly before gay marriage became legal there. Friends flew in from California and Indianapolis to see the women, both wearing elegant white gowns, get married Saturday.
“(Pam Bondi) fought so hard. She denied us for so long … I think our presence today and being able to do this is a defeat of that mentality,” Swanson said.
Bondi is appealing the rulings and some county officials in more conservative areas have even stopped performing marriage ceremonies.
Seth Anderson and his partner Michael Ferguson, both 33, flew out from Utah to renew their vows. They were among the first to legally marry there two years ago, but none of their family or friends were able to attend the impromptu ceremony at the courthouse where the couple had nothing to wear but their work clothes.
“We wanted to come and be a part of this and celebrate with all the other people getting married,” Anderson said.
They were one of the couples who walked down the aisle in the courtyard of The James Royal Palm hotel as a small orchestra played. Many couples said they became emotional when Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host Fieri, a chef with spiky hair, tattoos and a love for Southern BBQ, officiated the ceremony in honor of his late sister who was a lesbian.
It was especially emotional for 45-year-old Hugo Lopez to return to the area where he said he had previously experienced so much intolerance.
“For me to come back here to a place that felt so hostile growing up, to know this (wedding) was happening … I was terrified we were going to get turned away when we went to get our marriage license in Hialeah,” said Lopez, who married Ryan Griffin wearing matching linen suits.
The couples were showered with white rose petals thrown from the balconies and then treated to a feast of fried chicken, grilled lamb, crab-stuffed avocadoes, empanadas and a seven-tier gold and silver cake from Goldman, star of Food Network’s reality show Ace of Cakes.
“My only agenda is to celebrate this and make it true in every state,” said Goldman, who is also a gay-rights advocate. After reading of a baker who refused to make a cake for a lesbian couple a few years ago, Goldman tracked them down and made them a cake.
“We are not arbitrators of morality, we’re cake decorators,” he said.
Smith, who hosts the Big Gay Ice Cream Social at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival each year, said it had been their polite protest to the state law for years. Now they were ready to throw a wedding.
“I felt like it was important for us to show the haters, just shake it off,” he said quoting a Taylor Swift song as he moved onto the dance floor as the crowd cheered him on. “We’re gonna have a party and we’re going to show people we’re proud, we’re happy, we’re loud.
Prominent Republican to Condemn Georgia’s Discriminatory “Religious Liberty” Bills
Prominent Republican to Condemn Georgia’s Discriminatory “Religious Liberty” Bills
Former Georgia Attorney General Michael Bowers, a Republican perhaps best known for defending the state’s anti-sodomy law in the late 80s and early 90s, will reportedly condemn on Tuesday two discriminatory state bills, HB 218 and SB 129.
HRC.org
Towleroad's Top 15 Must Watch LGBT Videos of the Week
Towleroad's Top 15 Must Watch LGBT Videos of the Week
Need a refresher on all the informative, uplifting, sexy, and entertaining LGBT videos from this past week?
Look no further as we count down the best of the best, AFTER THE JUMP…
15. ‘The Walking Dead’ Introduces Its First Openly Gay Male Character
Fans of The Walking Dead got their first glimpse of what might be the show’s first openly gay male character on last Sunday’s episode with the introduction of Aaron. A survivor living within the Alexandria safe-zone, Aaron is openly gay in the comic books, so fans will be looking to see if the show emulates this on screen.
14. These Three Bears ‘Say a Little Prayer’ For You
This video first debut on Towleroad back in 2009, but it has since resurfaced and is making waves as Glee begins its final stretch of episodes before the series finale. Bears Jason Whipple (front), Josh Cheon (left), and Mark Louque (right) perform Dianna Agron’s version of ‘I Say a Little Prayer.’ Priceless.
Post by Nikolaus Uwe.
13. Gay Rugby Star Gareth Thomas Reacts to the ‘Coming Out’ Scene in New Play About His Life and Career
Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage tells the story of Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas’s journey towards self-acceptance and field glory. BBC caught up with Thomas while he was watching his “coming out” to his wife reenacted on stage. Check it out below:
12. Mike de Marko, Bennett Anthony and the Men of Men.com Tell You About Their Worst Dates Ever
Still reeling from a less-than-perfect Valentine’s Day weekend? Take heart knowing that bad date experiences happen to even the most sexually skilled among us.
11. Michael Sam Talks Closets Athletes, Says He Doesn’t Believe Being Gay Has Kept Him Off NFL Roster
The first openly gay player to be drafted in the league, Michael Sam set the record straight, so to speak, about his decision to come out and what he believes has stopped him from being signed to one of the NFL’s 32 teams in an interview with Sports Illustrated‘s MMQB blog.
10. Lee Daniels Discusses Homophobic Audience Reaction to Gay Kissing on ‘Empire’
Writer, director and producer Lee Daniels recently talked about watching focus groups react to same-sex kissing on his new show, Empire. Daniels referred to the dial technology used by focus groups to give instant feedback as to whether they love or hate something. So how did the majority of those in the focus group first react to a gay kiss on Empire? Not very well it seems…
9. Openly Gay 60s Teen Idol Lesley Gore Passes Away at Age 68
60s teen idol/pop icon Lesley Gore, best know for her classic songs ““It’s My Party (I’ll Cry if I Want To)” and “You Don’t Own Me,” passed away Monday at the age of 68. Gore came out publicly as a lesbian back in 2005. Check out a 1965 performance of “It’s My Party” on the Hollywood A Go-Go music variety show below:
8. Pastor Rob Bell Talks to Oprah About Christianity Being ‘Moment’s Away’ from Embracing Gay Marriage
Popular (and controversial) evangelical pastor Rob Bell appeared on Oprah’s Soul Food Sunday last weekend and shared why marriage is so important – for gay and straight people alike.
Said Bell:
“One of the oldest aches in the bones of humanity is loneliness….Loneliness is not good for the world. And so whoever you are, gay or straight, it is totally normal, natural and healthy to want someone to go through life with. It’s central to our humanity. We want someone to go on the journey with.”
Watch his interview with Oprah below (gay marriage talk starts at the 29:00 mark)
7. Bullied Trans Boy Asks for Support in Video Declaring He No Longer Wants to Live as a Girl
If you haven’t already seen this incredible video of 9-year-old trans boy Milla Brown, do yourself a favor and watch it. Brown’s family stands as a model for how to handle a trans child – with love and support on top.
6. Neil Patrick Harris Takes You on A Behind-the-Scenes Look at His Magical and Musical Oscars
Ready for the 87th Academy Awards tonight? NPH is.
5. Kate Brown Sworn In As the Nation’s First Openly Bisexual Governor
The state of Oregon inaugurated the nation’s first openly bisexual governor Monday when former Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown was sworn in. Gov. Brown replaced scandal-ridden former Gov. John Kitzhaber. Brown cited her husband Dan Little as her “rock” at her inauguration.
4. Alan Cumming Challenges Gay Men to be Celibate for One Year
Alan Cumming challenges you to take the Celibacy Challenge: 365 days of no sex so you can comply with the FDA regulations that forbid sexually-active men from donating blood. Think you could pass the test?
3. Focus on the Family is Freaking Out About the Supreme Court’s Upcoming Gay Marriage Ruling
The anti-equality crowd knows they’ve lost the marriage fight. They’re just not ready to admit it yet…
2. Matt Baume Serves Up a Delicious Fireside Chat on Why Bakeries Must Sell Wedding Cakes to Gay Couples
The always eloquent and entertaining Matt Baume released a yummy new video this week on why bakeries in certain states have to sell wedding cakes to same-sex couples, why bakeries aren’t forced to bake cakes with slurs or hate messages, and what’s really at stake in all these “cake wars” going on across the country. Dig in below:
1. Two Gay Couples Tied the Knot on Friday’s ‘Glee’ Wedding Spectacular
Sure many of us might not be the Gleeks we once were, but Friday’s episode of Glee was a terrific reminder that the show still has a few surprises up its sleeve this final season. Kurt and Blaine, one of the first young gay couples television audiences grew to love (remember how groundbreaking and “controversial” it was back in 2010? ), tied the knot in a surprise double ceremony alongside cheerleader couple Brittany and Santana.
The series finale of Glee airs March 20.
Kyler Geoffroy
Rob Bell and SBC: Churches Must Accept LGBT! ISIS Declares End Game! Many Selling Life For Death!
Rob Bell and SBC: Churches Must Accept LGBT! ISIS Declares End Game! Many Selling Life For Death!
The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, they would have had moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation…
Potential GOP Presidential Candidates Are Divided On Gay Marriage
Potential GOP Presidential Candidates Are Divided On Gay Marriage
WASHINGTON — A divide over gay marriage is emerging in the potential Republican presidential primary field, with candidates falling into one of two camps: those who want to admit defeat on a key social cause and move on, and those who want to keep fighting.
Vile leaflets circulated in Dublin claim gays ‘more likely to get cancer’
Inside Abbi And Ilana’s Grindr-Fueled Broad City Internet Vortex
Inside Abbi And Ilana’s Grindr-Fueled Broad City Internet Vortex
On last week’s episode of Broad City, Abbi and Ilana fall into a bit of a modern-day internet matrix. And we’ve all been there — you go online to look up the recipe for soft boiled eggs, and two hours later you’re checking out Jamie Dornan’s nude photos.
But the montage of their web vortex goes by so fast, it’s nearly impossible to decipher everything they’re doing.
So we did it for you. For some reason, the girls are really into Grindr — is that a real thing girls do these days?
“Excuse My Beauty: The Carrot Top Edition” is as noble a launching point as any.
Buzzfeed’s “Which Dead Child Star Are You?” sounds fun, if not a bit icky.
Already it’s enough to make a person scream.
How about some good old fashioned app dating? Tinder makes sense. Victor is 27 and looks like a Target catalog model. Hot.
And then…Grindr? Looks like the girls are newbies since the first shot has the “Help” tab highlighted. Or maybe it’s just foreshadowing. Ohhh, deep.
OK, maybe Grindr was a bad idea — Tinder is safer territory. Mike is 25 and seems way too young to have a son.
Oop, nevermind back to Grindr, and by the looks of it, they’ve figured it out fast since their inbox is BLOWIN’ UP.
Aaaand, back to Tinder.
If that’s not a Grindr promotional screen we don’t know what is.
Then it’s off the apps and on to some important stuff like “signs that your sex friend is becoming your boyfriend.”
“Ass of an angel.” Keep praying, ladies.
“Janet Jackson that’s the way love goes.” Smooth.
“rhianna instagram” Come on, you can do better than that.
“top ten fig recipes” Some more foreshadowing. Ooohhh.
“why are brazil nuts always in nut mixes?” Could it have something to do with surface area? Those is some big nuts.
“what’s that rash on my armpit?” Nasty.
“finding your soulmate on a budget” If you make any progress on this one please let us know ASAP.
“twincest” We can help you with that one.
“micro penis” What do you know, we can help you there too!
It’s about at this point that they Skype each other only to discover they’re still in the same room together.
Whew. We need to get out and take a walk.
Dan Tracer
This Gay Water Polo Team Atop Sydney Tower Will Have You Wishing You Were in Warmer Weather: VIDEO
This Gay Water Polo Team Atop Sydney Tower Will Have You Wishing You Were in Warmer Weather: VIDEO
The Sydney Stingers, a competitive lesbian and gay waterpolo club in the New South Wales capital, recently scaled to the top of Sydney Tower’s skywalk almost 900 feet above ground level wearing nothing but speedos.
And we wouldn’t want it any other way.
See what the Stingers went through, AFTER THE JUMP…
[h/t samesame]
Kyler Geoffroy
Cine Temática Gay / LGTB "Everyone is Different" / 052
Cine Temática Gay / LGTB "Everyone is Different" / 052
Vídeo promocional para el sitio web www.iedereenisanders.nl holandés, que está hecho para los jóvenes LGBT. En el sitio web los jóvenes LGBT pueden encontrar información sobre cómo hablar…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ta93Qo2gs&feature=youtube_gdata
