TAMPA BAY EVENTS ...............
 Centrally located and set on the front lawn of historic Hillsborough High School, you will find between 60 & 80 vendors selling a vast mixture of local, handmade and/or homemade products. Market Operation hours will be from 9 a.m. - 2p.m. We have extended our hours until 2pm for all those who can't make it in the early hours on Sunday. *Vehicle Parking will be available at the High School at the lot in front of the Football Field **Public Restrooms provided by Hillsborough High School *Located between the visitor parking lot and the football field. ***Ride your Bike or Walk your Dog!
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NEXT SATURDAY
MARCH 13 spring
forward 1 hour
Rush Limbaugh: If Health Care Reform Passes, I'm Moving To Costa Rica
Zillionaire Rush Limbaugh, who could put a daily heart transplant on his debit card, says he'll leave the United States if health care reform passes.
FLAMINGO RESORT
STARTS AT 9:00PM
WHATEVER
YOUR FETISH BRING IT
TO
THE
FLAMINGO
| |
Victory In Cow Town
Yesterday the city commission of Kissimmee, Florida voted 4-1 to extend LGBT partner benefits to city employees. That may not be earth-shattering news in the grand scheme of LGBT rights, but it's interesting in that not very long ago, Kissimmee was a literal cow town, just a few thousands folks living on a few thousand acres of drained swampland with their few thousand cows. Then Disney World moved in a few miles away and Kissimmee exploded to ten times its former size, pastures replaced by miles of motels, hotels, and chain restaurants. It's still a small town with plenty of cows, but now Kissimmee is also populated by Disney staffers and hotel industry folks. I think that means something about yesterday's vote. Tickle Me Massa
Yesterday on Glenn Beck's show, former Rep. Eric Massa said that he'd had same-sex tickle fights with his staffers, prompting one of the most hilarious Twitter threads I've read since joining the service. According to Massa, it was those tickle fights that prompted the charges of male sexual harassment. (His story is changing every 12 hours!) And last night Larry King asked Massa if he is gay. Massa: "I'm not gonna answer that. In the year 2010, why don't you ask my wife? Ask my friends. Ask the 10,000 sailors I served with in the Navy." Massa called King's question insulting to "every gay American." King: "You said you groped someone! Who was a male!"
Circumcision May Not Cut HIV Spread
Studies in Africa have suggested that circumcision can lower the spread of HIV, but a new report out of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the surgical procedure is little help to men in Western countries.
Elton and Friends Raise $3.7M for AIDS Funding
Elton John —with some help from Victoria Beckham, Ryan Kwanten, Betty White and Chace Crawford — helped raise almost $4 million for AIDS research.
A Tale of Two Cities
First it was all South Beach, then it was all Sebastian Beach—but since the previous decade’s tug-of-war between Miami and Fort Lauderdale for title of South Florida’s gayest city, an equilibrium has been reached.
Then, at the dawn of the millennium, these companionate cities became dueling divas in a vicious tug-of-war for the gay dollar. After reinvigorating the city of Miami Beach (also called South Beach, it’s a municipality distinct from Miami proper) and pushing the elderly upward to North Miami Beach and Hallandale, Miami’s gays found themselves priced out of town. The once-again chic South Beach was prohibitively expensive for those with hourly incomes, and wealthy straight couples replaced the younger retail queens and restaurant servers. As the mainstream swallowed the iconoclastic, South Beach fell out of favor in the fickle world of trends and trendsetters. Soon came the end of such megaclubs as Warsaw, Pump, Amnesia, and Salvation; Miami had lost its luster as a global party destination. Those tired of the dwindling scene and the pretension longed to escape the confines of South Beach, and gays realized that beyond the borders of Alton Road and Ocean Drive, they had little influence or even presence in the rest of Miami.
Twenty-five miles north, Fort Lauderdale was in the process of a $2 billion face-lift designed to promote urban economic development (and to clean up the Aqua Net oil slick left from the spring break era). Capitalizing on the beauty of the labyrinthine Intracoastal Waterway, the city was rechristened the “Venice of America,” a home for the world’s fastest-growing yachting community, with turquoise beaches that rival the Caribbean and a progressive, gay-friendly atmosphere on par with San Francisco’s.
Dozens of new nightlife options emerged throughout Fort Lauderdale. Some, such as the high-tech dance palace Coliseum, reinvented the gay Miami party scene of 1999, with world-famous DJs, drag extravaganzas, and easily accessible party drugs. Other venues, such as the Jackhammer and the Ramrod, catered to the leather subculture, providing an open forum for chaps and straps. The Moulin Rouge–inspired China White emerged as gay Fort Lauderdale’s Studio 54 at the height of the real estate boom in 2006. The gay scene was not confined to just one neighborhood but took root in three distinct cities within greater Fort Lauderdale: Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, and Fort Lauderdale proper. Chic, urban high-rises were erected along Las Olas Boulevard for the city’s new bourgeoisie. Luxurious hotels such as the W and the Ritz-Carlton replaced former dilapidated dumps along the beach. Suburban homes were relandscaped, repainted and remodeled. Fort Lauderdale became a place where gays of all genders, shapes, sizes, and ages could bask in their preferences. It seemed as though Miami had been permanently replaced as South Florida’s gay playground.
HomoQuotable - Sean
Hayes
"I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never. I believe that nobody owes anything to anybody. Nobody owes anything to anybody. You are your authentic self to whom and when you choose to be, and if you don’t know somebody, then why would you explain to them how you live your life?"I feel like I’ve contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I’m open to it. You’re welcome, Advocate. Why would you go down that path with somebody who’s done so much to contribute to the gay community? That was my beef about it. What more do you want me to do? Do you want me to stand on a float? And then what? It’s never enough." - Sean Hayes, simultaneously coming out to and criticizing the Advocate for its past roastings of him for not doing it sooner.
Presented by: Christ the Cornerstone Church
March 6, 2010 10:00 AM
Christ the Cornerstone Church
5545 62nd Avenue N
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
727.547.6280
FREE indoor market will host a variety of Music, Artists, & Vendors from our GLBT & GLBT-Friendly Community
Our Market Features a Variety of Musical Performances, Artists & Vendors
Take advantage of these excellent shopping opportunities of diverse merchandise from our local GLBT & GLBT-Friendly Community.
Additional craft exhibits also on display in the Cornerstone Cafe.
Join Us at Our PRIDE Indoor Market
Come In, Shop, Eat & Enjoy!
WANTED:
Musicians, Vendors, Artists!
for the
RAINBOW MARKET
Limited Vendor Space Available for $20; Table Rentals $5
Sellers Keep All Profits from Sales
Reserve Your Space TODAY!
RNC's Oopsie: Leaving Their Entire Fundraising Plan Behind In A Florida Hotel
Who needs Watergate? The Republican National Committee is furiously backpedaling after their offensive and crude fundraising strategy presentation was accidentally left behind following a $2500/head event in Boca Raton, Florida. The strategy was detailed in a confidential party fundraising presentation, obtained by POLITICO, which also outlines how “ego-driven” wealthy donors can be tapped with offers of access and “tchochkes.” The presentation was delivered by RNC Finance Director Rob Bickhart to top donors and fundraisers at a party retreat in Boca Grande, Florida on February 18, a source at the gathering said. In neat PowerPoint pages, it lifts the curtain on the often-cynical terms of political marketing, displaying an air of disdain for the party’s donors that is usually confined to the barroom conversations of political operatives. The presentation explains the Republican fundraising in simple terms. "What can you sell when you do not have the White House, the House, or the Senate...?" it asks. The answer: "Save the country from trending toward Socialism!” Manipulating donors with crude caricatures and playing on their fears is hardly unique to Republicans or to the RNC – Democrats raised millions off George W. Bush in similar terms – but rarely is it practiced in such cartoonish terms. One page, headed “The Evil Empire,” pictures Obama as the Joker from Batman, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leaders Harry Reid are depicted as Cruella DeVille and Scooby Doo, respectively.See the entire presentation (PDF) which provides exact fundraising goals by demographic and points to which Democratic seats will be targeted. The RNC points to both New York Senators Gillibrand and Schumer as "wild cards" that could be brought down in 2010. Below is their crass strategy to increase donations. Of course, the RNC is saying today that the presentation "would NEVER be used" at the national convention and that chairman Michael Steele "never saw it" and "has nothing to do with it." Hah!
Anti-Gay GOP CA State Sen. Roy Ashburn Busted For DUI While Leaving Sacramento Gay Bar With Another Man
Anti-gay GOP California state Sen. Roy Ashburn was arrested for DUI yesterday after leaving Faces, a popular Sacramento gay bar, with an unidentified male passenger. Ashburn has been a loud opponent of LGBT rights and has organized and hosted anti-gay marriage rallies for the Traditional Values Coalition. He also has a 100% rating from the anti-gay Capitol Resource Family Impact group for voting against every LGBT rights bill during his tenure.The California Highway Patrol pulled over Senator Roy Ashburn at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday after an officer noticed a black Chevy Tahoe swerving at 13th and L Streets. When the officer stopped the state-issued vehicle, the driver identified himself as Senator Ashburn. He was arrested without incident and charged with two misdemeanors: driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol level higher than .08% or higher. A male passenger, who was not identified as a lawmaker, was also in the car but was not detained. Ashburn was booked into the Sacramento County Jail and released on $1,400 bond. Ashburn, a father of four, is a Republican Senator representing parts of Kern, Tulare and San Bernardino Counties with a history of opposing gay rights. Ashburn issued a statement on the arrest Wednesday afternoon: "I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did. I am also truly sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me – my family, my constituents, my friends, and my colleagues in the Senate."Ashburn is being term-limited out of office in 2010. In January he surprised supporters by announcing that he would not be running for the U.S. House or the powerful California State Tax Board, two jobs he'd publicly had his eye on for the last year. Ashburn divorced his wife in 2003.
ANTI-GAY VOTING RECORD: In March 2009, Sen. Ashburn voted against a Senate resolution declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Ashburn voted three times to oppose the creation of Harvey Milk Day. In September he voted against California recognizing out of state same-sex marriages. In 2008 he voted to oppose an expansion of the state's insurance laws to include sexual orientation as a protected class.
In response to the Tea Party, a Facebook-generated movement calling itself the Coffee Party says that the federal government isn't the enemy.Fed up with government gridlock, but put off by the flavor of the Tea Party, people in cities across the country are offering an alternative: the Coffee Party. Growing through a Facebook page, the party pledges to “support leaders who work toward positive solutions, and hold accountable those who obstruct them.” It had nearly 40,000 members as of Monday afternoon, but the numbers were growing quickly — about 11,000 people had signed on as fans since the morning. “I’m in shock, just the level of energy here,” said the founder, Annabel Park, a documentary filmmaker who lives outside Washington. “In the beginning, I was actively saying, ‘Get in touch with us, start a chapter.’ Now I can’t keep up. We have 300 requests to start a chapter that I have not been able to respond to.” The slogan is “Wake Up and Stand Up.” The mission statement declares that the federal government is “not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will, and that we must participate in the democratic process in order to address the challenges we face as Americans.”
Jason Mraz Vows to Fight for Equality
l "I came down here to learn more about how I can get involved in the fight for equality," Mraz said in a statement at The Center. "Not just marriage equality, but equality for all. And why it's important to me is that it affects my life. Many of my friends, management, staff, even one of my close, personal friends, my transgender surfing buddy... I have been so inspired by the life that they live and the committed relationships that they have. Most of them have had longer, more committed relationships than I have had, yet don't get the same rights as I do, don't get to plan and protect each other in the bond that marriage offers, and to feel protected in society. So I'm down here to learn and hopefully you are here to learn and are joining me in the fight."
Mraz, who lives in a suburb of San Diego, has lent his time to the fight for LGBT rights before. At this year’s Grammy Awards, Mraz wore a White Knot on the red carpet, symbolizing his support for marriage equality. He told reporters he wanted more straight musicians and activists to support the fight for equal rights.
Specifically, Mraz called on John Mayer and Kanye West, two musicians who have publicly denounced homophobia in the past, to join him in the fight for marriage equality.
Catholic Charities Drops D.C. Spouses from Health Plan
The social services agency Catholic Charities announced Monday that it was changing its health coverage to avoid offering benefits to same-sex partners in Washington, D.C. Weddings are scheduled to begin shortly for same-sex couples, whose right to marry was recognized by the D.C. Council late last year.
MARCH 11*6:30 PM
PINK PELICANS THEATRE LOUNGE
25B MLK, St Petersburg, FL
A 99cent movie and popcorn will be shown at 6:30PM, gay theme movie. There is a 43 cushioned seat theatre.
JudyBGood and Paul will perform oldies and new material at 8:30PM.
Raffles will be held at 8PM and a 50/50 ticket as well.
TeaCup from MCFilm Fest will be tending bar all night, come early as bar seats are a $1hrly for charity.
ASAP will be present at this event and all proceeds will go to purchase AIDS drugs for the Haiti Relief effort for Clinton/Bush.
Come join the fun and give what you can, even change is accepted.
Gays Protest At Dutch Catholic Church
About 300 protesters, many in pink wigs and shirts, walked out of services at a Catholic church in the Netherlands yesterday in reaction a gay man being denied communion for being a hell-bound sinner. 
Exodus International Launches Campaign In Support Of Anti-Gay Bullying
GLSEN's national Day Of Silence is six weeks away, but the "ex-gay" mental cases at Exodus International have already launched their "Day Of Truth" campaign to stop students from being taught that it's wrong to beat up and harass gay kids. According to Exodus, the anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund is standing by with 1200 attorneys to represent anybody that faces opposition from school administrators. 
Baxter Takes Center Stage at HRC Dinner
Meredith Baxter took center stage at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas dinner in Raleigh, N.C., over the weekend. Her 10-minute speech touched on harassment in schools, "don't ask, don't tell," and discriminatory laws that are the government's way of telling society gays and lesbians are worth less than straight people.
HuffPo: Bert and Ernie Are Gay
From My Two Dads and Kate & Allie to Full House and Sesame Street, The Huffington Post has compiled a list of classic TV programs the networks didn’t want you to know were really about gay people.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Expresses Gratitude To Gay Soldiers
In stark contrast to the situation in America, last night British Prime Minister Gordon Brown thanked his nation's openly serving gay soldiers in a ceremony celebrating the contributions of LGBT people to Britain.
Equality Florida Gala raises
$100,000
Equality Florida Gala Dinner raised more than $100,000 at it's GALA last weekend. The money will go directly to the organization’s many efforts on behalf of anti-discrimination lobbying and other efforts focused on equality issues for the LGBT community.A number of elected officials attended the Gala including St. Petersburg City Council Chairperson Leslie Curran, and newly elected St. Petersburg City Council Member Steve Kornell. Other dignitaries on hand included Florida Chief Financial Officer and Gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink, Pinellas County Superintendent Julie Janseen, Pinellas County School Board Member Linda Lerner, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor, and retired judge Charlotte Anderson.
Ricky Martin Offered Evita on Broadway
Pop star and single father of twin boys Ricky Martin has reportedly been offered the starring role of Che in the first-ever Broadway revival of Evita.
"Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth living on the streets and in foster care need our support more than ever. In New York City, the True Colors Residence is going to play a big role in providing these young people with the leg up and encouragement they need. I am thrilled that construction has already begun and I am honored to be a part of this important project." - Cyndi Lauper, commenting on the groundbreaking for the True Colors Residence for homeless LGBT youth in Harlem. 
click here for more information
March 14 - Open House /
First Practice for Returning Members
Tim Gunn: Kardashians Have No Taste
The Kardashian sisters and JWoWW of Jersey Shore fame are muddying up the fashion industry to the detriment of real designers, says Project Runway mentor Tim Gunn.
Lady Gaga Talks About Her
Strap-On
After the extremely revealing costume Lady Gaga wore during her recent performance on the Grammy Awards debunked incessant Internet gossip that she’s intersexed, the provocative pop star has been photographed topless holding a big black strap-on dildo at crotch level.
College Wrestler Champions Gay Rights
University of Maryland wrestler Hudson Taylor is ranked number 3 in the country in the 197-pound NCAA wrestling weight class, recently became engaged to his girlfriend, and is a huge supporter of gay rights. So much so, he wrestles with an HRC sticker on his helmet and is writing his senior thesis about LGBT issues.
British Activist Peter Tatchell Launches
Protest
Against Coming Papal Visit
Gay activist Peter Tatchell has launched a petition campaign to "disassociate the British government" from the coming visit by Pope Palpatine. The petition has been posted on Prime Minister Gordon Brown's official site. We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to disassociate the British government from the Pope's intolerant views ahead of the Papal visit to Britain in September 2010. We urge the Prime Minister to make it clear that his government disagrees with the Pope's opposition to women's reproductive rights, gay equality, embryonic stem cell research and the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV. We ask the Prime Minister to express his disagreement with the Pope’s role in the cover-up of child sex abuse by Catholic clergy, his rehabilitation of the Holocaust-denying bishop Richard Williamson, and his decree paving the way for the beatification and sainthood of the war-time Pope, Pius XII, who stands accused of failing to speak out against the Holocaust. We also request the Prime Minister to assure us that the Pope’s visit will not be financed by the British taxpayerApple Yanks 5000+ iPhone Sex
Apps
If you like to use your iPhone for sexy time, there's probably no longer an app for that. Apple has apparently initiated a crusade against “overtly sexual content,” removing adult-themed iPhone and iPod touch applications from its App Store following fervent customer-complaints about adult content in many of the apps. In fact, app developers too have been complaining that the proliferation of sexually-themed software – which reportedly comprises almost one-third of the over 140,000 App Store applications – impedes the discoverability of rival applications.
Study: Gay Soldiers Not Disruptive
A new study to be released by the Palm Center on Tuesday will show that foreign militaries that transitioned quickly to allow openly gay members to serve experienced no significant disruptions. The study arrives as Pentagon leaders contend they would need a year or longer to implement changes to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell policy.”
Ricky Martin and Habitat Help Haiti
The Ricky Martin Foundation has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to raise money to rebuild homes and shelters in Haiti. Ricky Martin recruited celebrity friends including Ellen DeGeneres, Adam Lambert, Eva Longoria, Patti La Belle, Alicia Keys and others for a public service announcement to raise money for Haiti.
Kardashian Sisters: " Love is Love"
The Kardashians (Kim, Khloe and Kourtney) lent their faces to the N0H8 Campaign last year, and now, an outtake from their photoshoot has made the cut on their reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Move to Repeal D.C. Marriage Rejected
A Washington, D.C., superior court judge rejected a motion to delay the effective date of the city's marriage equality law.
Gaga Helps Keep Your Lil' Monsters Safe
Thinking outside the box as usual, Lady Gaga has announced that one of her next duets will be with fashion designer Jeremy Scott as the two produce a line of fashionable condoms.
ADULT ORIENTED
NO SIGN UP *JUST CREATE A NAME
AND YOU ARE IN
Benny Hinn Fails To Heal His
Marriage
Prosperity gospel televangelist and "faith healing" scam artist Benny Hinn was unable to heal the desire of his wife to get the fuck away from him. The wife of televangelist has filed for divorce from the high-profile pastor, whose reputation as an advocate of prosperity gospel has attracted millions of followers and criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups over his lavish lifestyle. Suzanne Hinn filed the papers in Orange County Superior Court on Feb. 1, citing irreconcilable differences, after more than 30 years of marriage. The papers note the two separated on Jan. 26 and that Hinn has been living in Dana Point, a wealthy coastal community in southern Orange County. "Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news without any previous notice," Benny Hinn Ministries said Thursday in a statement. "Although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavored to bring healing to their relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice." Hinn is one of the best known advocates of the prosperity gospel, which teaches that Christians who are right with God will be rewarded with wealth and health in this lifetime.Hinn is presently under investigation by Congress for violating non-profit rules. He travels in his private zillion dollar jet named "Dove One" and is said to own more than a dozen luxury mansions around the world. And every day in every city, some elderly pensioner eats cat food in order to send Benny Hinn a donation.
Real World’s Mike Manning: “I’m Bi, Deal"
The Real World’s Mike Manning talked with AfterElton.com about being bisexual and the perception that bi is really just a stopover on the way to being gay.“I'm more attracted to guys, and I'll admit that. I'll admit that to you in an interview, and I'll admit that on national television. I don't know where people get the impression that I'm too insecure to admit that I'm gay.”
Wingnut Group Smears
Openly Gay Mayoral
Candidate In
Gainseville, Florida
The Concerned Citizens of Gainesville are smearing openly gay mayoral candidate Craig Lowe by posting placards claiming that his support for the city's recently passed transgender rights ordinance means he is pro-pedophilia. Via Equality Florida:
DC Catholic Archdiocese Kills Foster Care Program Over Same-Sex Marriage
Catholic Charities, which receives $20 million from the city, had sounded alarms in the run-up to the council vote, saying programs serving tens of thousands of people were in danger. Being forced to recognize same-sex marriage, church officials said, could make it impossible for the church to be a city contractor because Catholic teaching opposes same-sex marriage. The church and some experts said the city's measure has narrower exemptions for religious groups than other same-sex marriage laws across the country, particularly when it comes to requiring benefits for the same-sex partners of employees. City officials knew of no other faith-based groups that said their city contracts were in jeopardy.
Glenn Beck Loses 103
Sponsors
Think Progress reports that Glenn Beck's UK radio show is in serious trouble. Today, Color of Change and StopBeck.com announced that the United Kingdom has forcefully rejected Fox News host Glenn Beck. In fact, the UK broadcast of his show “was forced to run without any advertisements” for five days in a row as of yesterday. Additionally, 103 companies have agreed to stop their ads from appearing on his program. Some of the latest defections include Allstate Insurance, Anheuser-Busch, Idaho Potato Commission, Marriott International, Volkswagen, and Western Union.
Can i get a "SHUT THE FUCK UP?"- Cardinal
Carlo Caffarra
"It's impossible to consider oneself a Catholic if that person in one way or another recognizes same-sex marriage as a right. Politicians have a serious duty to make sure their beliefs, thoughts and proposals concerning the common good are consistent. It's impossible for the Catholic faith and support for putting homosexual unions on equal footing with marriage to coexist in one's conscience -- the two contradict each other. The state's legal order must not be neutral on marriage and homosexual unions just as it can't be (neutral) on the common good: society owes its survival to families founded on marriage, not homosexual unions." -Italian Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, who threatens to excommunicate any politician who votes in favor of same-sex marriage.
Ass Wednesday
American Apparel is looking for the best bottom in the world. Make your own jokes, this is too easy.
VA Gov. Robert McDonnell Strips Gays From State Jobs Protection List
Newly elected Virginia Gov. Rob McDonnell thinks it should be legal to fire someone for being gay and has removed sexual orientation from his state's list of protected classes. 
Matt Damon To Play Liberace's Lover
Matt Damon has signed to play Liberace's lover in the coming biopic starring Michael Douglas.It is quite a change for the Irish American macho star used to playing souped-up testosterone roles such as the cop in 'The Departed' and the Bourne Identity flicks. Douglas who will play the flamboyant Liberace is looking forward to having Damon as his gay partner. “I’m just going to get really comfortable so it’s not a caricature,” Michael said. “Matt Damon’s going to be my younger lover. God bless Matt. He’s right to take chances. It’s smart trying to mix it up a bit and maintain the franchise and get to do a picture that turns you on,” he said.
Presenting Male Maids in Jock Straps
CBS News reports on a new trend sweeping the nation – male maids who will clean your house top to bottom wearing nothing but a jockstrap.
gaytampaunderground.com
free to post items free to buy
ANTIQUES*COLLECTIBLES*ART*COMPUTERS*ELECTRONICS*CLOTHING*ARTGLASS
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ChatRoulette
ChatRoulette, the webcam program that randomly connects you people all over the world, has gotten a lot of press in the last few days. NY Magazine's Sam Anderson gave it a try:The site activates your webcam automatically; when you click “start” you’re suddenly staring at another human on your screen and they’re staring back at you, at which point you can either choose to chat (via text or voice) or just click “next,” instantly calling up someone else. The result is surreal on many levels. Early ChatRoulette users traded anecdotes on comment boards with the eerie intensity of shipwreck survivors, both excited and freaked out by what they’d seen. There was a man who wore a deer head and opened every conversation with “What up DOE!?” A guy from Sweden was reportedly speed-drawing strangers’ portraits. Someone with a guitar was improvising songs for anyone who’d give him a topic. One man popped up on people’s screens in the act of fornicating with a head of lettuce. Others dressed like ninjas, tried to persuade women to expose themselves, and played spontaneous transcontinental games of Connect Four. Occasionally, people even made nonvirtual connections: One punk-music blogger met a group of people from Michigan who ended up driving eleven hours to crash at his house for a concert in New York. And then, of course, fairly often, there was this kind of thing: “I saw some hot chicks then all of a sudden there was a man with a glass in his butthole.” I sing the body electronic.
Florida Subsidizes Benefits for Gay Man's
Adopted Son
Florida child welfare administrators agreed Tuesday to subsidize services for a teen adopted by a gay man, The Miami Herald reports, noting that the decision chips away at the state's ban on adoption by gays.
Fred Phelps and the hatemongers at his Westboro Baptist Church have wasted no time in declaring plans to picket the funeral of fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who died February 11.
Out Lesbian KD Lang Steals Show At Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Despite the preceding three hours of high-tech spectacle, it was openly lesbian and native Canadian kd lang's simple, yet soaring take on Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah that stole the show during the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics. Watch video here. Last night was the second time in two weeks that Cohen's classic was sung to a global audience by an openly gay performer, as Matt Morris had dueted on the track with Justin Timberlake during the Haiti telethon. It was lang's second Winter Olympics performance, 22 years ago (during her cowgirl schtick period) she performed Turn Me Around at the 1988 Calgary games. 
Fashion Mourns an Uncompromising
Visionary
Alexander McQueen, one of fashion's most uncompromising designers whose boundless vision consistently dazzled a cutthroat industry, was found dead Thursday at his London apartment. He was 40 years old.
The New York Times and other news outlets have reported that the British designer committed suicide, though McQueen’s family has yet to comment on the cause of death.
The son of a taxi driver, Lee Alexander McQueen rose from humble roots in London’s East End to become a subversive star of high fashion and a prodigious tailor with Savile Row training (in his youth, he had apprenticed at Anderson & Sheppard and Gieves and Hawkes). McQueen went on to study design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, where his graduation collection was bought by the stylist and editor Isabella Blow.
Gay Commandos Lend Aid in Haiti
Luke Montgomery, the gay rights activist who changed his name to "Luke Sissyfag" and took Bill Clinton to task for not taking action against AIDS in the early '90s, has launched the website CauseCommandos.com to rally support from the gay community and provide medicine, food, and tents to those affected by the region’s devastating earthquake.
Thomas Beatie Pregnant With Third Child
Thomas Beatie, who made headlines in 2008 when he announced in The Advocate that he was pregnant, is expecting his third child with wife Nancy. Dubbed the world's first "pregnant man" by the media, Beatie had a daughter in 2008, followed by a son in 2009.
Third judge rules against gay adoption ban
A third Florida judge has ruled against the state law prohibiting adoption by gays and lesbians.Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Maria Sampedro-Iglesia approved the adoption of a one-year old by Vanessa Alenier, 34, who took custody after child welfare workers seized the child from one of Alenier’s relatives. With the blessing of her extended family, Alenier told the truth when filling out adoption papers because she didn’t want to begin her life as a parent with a lie.
Sampedro-Iglesia’s ruling said: “There is no rational connection between sexual orientation and what is or is not in the best interest of a child. The child is happy and thriving with [Alenier]. The only way to give this child permanency...is to allow him to be adopted.”
The judge also declared the 32-year-old Florida law unconstitutional.
Florida Department of Children and Family administrators, who opposed the adoption, are said to be considering whether to appeal. The ruling was made in early January and DCF has only 30 days to make its decision.
Archbishop Of Canterbury "Profoundly Sorry" For Anti-Gay Speeches
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams opened the Church of England's annual meeting with an apology to the gay community over comments he has made in the wake of the church's split on the issue of gay clergy. "The debate over the status and vocational possibilities of LGBT people in the Church is not helped by ignoring the existing facts, which include many regular worshippers of gay or lesbian orientation and many sacrificial and exemplary priests who share this orientation. There are ways of speaking about the question that seem to ignore these human realities or to undervalue them. I have been criticised for doing just this, and I am profoundly sorry for the carelessness that could give such an impression."
Charlie Crist Opposes DADT Repeal
Florida Gov. Charlie "Closet Case" Crist doesn't want DADT repealed. Neither does his GOP primary opponent for the U.S. Senate, former Florida House speaker Marco Rubio.U.S. Senate rivals Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio both said today they oppose abolishing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy affecting gays and lesbians in the military. The 1993 policy was intended to be a political compromise that let gay men and women serve so long as they stayed silent about their sexuality. But President Barack Obama and top military leaders say it is time to end the discrimination all together. "We are a nation at war. The governor believes the current policy has worked, and there is no need to make changes," Crist campaign spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg said. "Marco Rubio supports the current policy and doesn't see any evidence it needs to be changed," spokesman Alex Burgos said.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert to Broadway
The tale of two ABBA-loving Aussie drag queens and their curmudgeonly transgender pal who take their show on the road through the Australian outback is headed to North America.
How Mullen Arrived at DADT Opinion
The New York Times profiles Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and how he arrived at his statement on Tuesday that “allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do.” Many factors came into play, not including his experience as the son of a Hollywood press agent.
Kellan Strips Down to His Calvins
Following in the footsteps of Mark Wahlberg, Twilight star Kellan Lutz has stripped down for a new Calvin Klein underwear campaign. Wahlberg's campaign, shot by famed gay photographer Herb Ritts, made him an overnight gay icon.
REVERSAL: Colin Powell Joins Call For Repeal Of DADT
In a major reversal, Gen. Colin Powell, who opposed Bill Clinton's attempt to allow gay soldiers to serve openly, has joined the call to repeal DADT.
The Ex-Gay Files
British investigative reporter Patrick Strudwick, an out gay man, went undercover in the UK's network of "ex-gay" outfits to see how they pretend to pray the gay away. Here's how just one of the "therapists" worked. She begins her wound hunt by asking about my family. I tell her that I have a close relationship with my parents and that they always gave me huge amounts of love, so I didn't understand why Nicolosi says that homosexuality is caused by inadequate parenting. "Well, there was something happening within your family dynamics that led to your depression," she says. Lynne explains that people only identify as gay when they are already depressed. "There's a confusion, there's an anxiety, there's a lot of pain," she says. "Often the thought can be, 'Oh I'm confused about my sexuality so I must be gay'." She says that at the heart of homosexuality is a "deep isolation", which is, she says, "where God needs to be". "Did you have a difficult birth?" she asks. No, I say. Why? "It's just something I have noticed. Often [with homosexuality] it is quite traumatic, the baby was put into intensive care and because of the separation from the mother there can be that lack of attachment." She moves on. "Any Freemasonry in the family?" No, I say, again asking her to elaborate. "Because that often encourages it as well. It has a spiritual effect on males and it often comes out as SSA."
American Family Association Radio Host: It's Time To Imprison All Gays
American Family Association radio host Bryan Fischer has called for sending homosexuals to prison for forced reparative therapy, a move he says is sanctioned by the Bible. Below, he responds to an email from a complaining listener. Born-Again Baldwin Against Gay Marriage
Born-again actor Stephen Baldwin tells The Guardian he doesn't support same-sex marriage, he has respect for anyone who rejects the gay lifestyle, and that he'd beat his daughter if she ever became a stripper.
Question to Obama
University of Tampa senior Hector Flores says it was nerve-wracking asking the president at a town hall meeting what he was doing to advance equality for same-sex couples... but it was something he had to do.
Flores, a 21-year-old native of Jersey City, New Jersey, talked to Advocate.com about asking the question, and what he thought of the president's answer.
Advocate.com: How did you feel about the State of the Union speech?
Hector Flores: I watched it several times. A lot of the reforms had to do with the financial deficit that we’re facing and other valid issues, but I wanted to have clarification that gays are also in the groups to be taken care of.
re you involved with gay rights activities on campus?
I am involved somewhat. We have an organization here at the University of Tampa. I go their events when I can. I am also in a fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha, an honor society, Alpha Psi Omega, and I am a resident advisor. That’s how I found out about the event.
How long did you have to prepare for the president’s visit?
I received an email, probably two days before, saying that because I was a campus leader, I had a ticket to go see Obama, and asking me whether I wanted to accept it. Of course, I wanted to go
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We already know that Whole Foods CEO John Mackey thinks that global warming is a hoax and that Americans have no inherent right to health care. The latest bit of crazy from crazy Mackey's crazy mind is a new employee discount policy. If you have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and a lower BMI (Body Mass Index), you get a bigger discount. Aside from the fact that those three factors, while important, are not necessarily predictive of good health, there's Mackey's "fatties shouldn't work here" message. The planned in-house screenings should be a riot. Participation is voluntary, just in case you don't want corporate all up in your business. But then you don't get the steeper discount on that $2 banana.
HRC Plans Campaign Against Military Ban
In response to President Obama’s call in the State of the Union address to end “don’t ask, don’t tell," the Human Rights Campaign Wednesday night announced a campaign targeting the antigay policy.
Ted Haggard: I Am Cured Of The Gay
Ted Haggard and his wife appeared on Oprah's tribute show to cheated upon wives yesterday. According to Ted, he now lets his wife check in on his whereabouts via Facebook and Twitter so that she always knows he doesn't have a cock in his mouth. Because you can only use the internet in the presence of heterosexuals. Gayle Haggard explains why she is confident that her husband is now completely heterosexual. She says that she does believe that homosexuality is a sin, but tap dances around the question as to whether she agrees with that pesky abomination thingy. But: "Honestly, I don't feel that the government should be in the marriage business. I feel as though the government should provide equality under the law and it should deal with civil unions. And in our communities of faith, we should give the definition of marriage."
Chase Gives Shepard Found. $37K
Chase Community Giving, the online philanthropic partnership between Chase and Facebook, will give $37,000 to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, the charity announced Monday.
Cop Sues for Being Fired Over Porn
A former police officer's short pornography career is keeping him from staying in law enforcement, he told TheMiami Herald in an interview published Tuesday.
FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED FOR EXPOSURE OF HIV
JRLChartsOnline reports: "Former U.S. Olympic equestrian rider and part-time Ocala resident Darren Chiacchia, was arrested last Wednesday for violating state law that required him to disclose he was HIV positive to his one-time sexual partner. 45-year old Chiacchia is also known to be a Florida Horse Park Board Member, a 2003 Pan American gold medallist and a distinguished activist for the country's equestrian community. Darren Chiacchia also is known for his farm that teaches students how to ride horses." Horses and each other. The District Attorney wants to elevate the charge from a third-degree to a first-degree felony.
There's A John Edwards Sex Tape
Gawker reports today that John "Baby Daddy" Edwards made a sex tape with his German filmmaker mistress. According to those that have seen the video, Edwards is rocking a monster.Sources say, in the throes of their affair, John Edwards and Rielle Hunter made a sex tape that contains "several sex acts." And that his aide, Andrew Young found it on an unmarked DVD. The tape, say both our sources, is explicit and reveals that Edwards "is physically very striking, in a certain area. Everyone who sees it says 'whoa'. She's behind the camera at first." When rumors of the affair first broke Young was so loyal to Edwards that he pretended that he was the father of Hunter's daughter Frances Quinn, now 2. But part of Young's disillusionment with the 2004 vice presidential candidate and 2008 candidate came one day as he went through a stack of DVDs at Rielle Hunter's house.
Bono Mack and Pougnet for ENDA
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (pictured), the Republican representative for California’s 45th district, and her leading Democratic challenger, gay Palm Springs mayor Steven Pougnet, agree that Congress should pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Former USMC Sgt. Charles Dyer is the organizer of a Tea Party offshoot called the Oath Keepers, a group dedicated to recruiting military personnel into the violent overthrow of the U.S. government. Dyer works as a liaison between militia groups and the Tea Party and last year spoke at a Tea Party rally in Oklahoma. On Tuesday, Dyer was arrested for the rape of a 7 year-old girl. During his arrest, police found a grenade launcher in his home.
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gay organizations
Adventurers Club
Adventurersfl.com.
Leather Club
BoatandScubawest.com.
A social and recreational club of GLBT outdoor enthusiasts.
(813) 236-8809.
Discussion group for same-gender-loving men of color.
(813) 932-4359.
Support group for GLBT persons who have experienced a recent death or loss.
(813) 935-4101
Fce2FceYouth2aol.com.
Youth group for GLBT and their supporters ages 14-21. Sundays, 7 p.m.
(727) 895-4439
(727) 895-4439.Family Bridge Club
(813) 832-2999.
Flamingo Auto Group
hometown.aol.com/flamingoautogrp
Central Florida Region of the Lambda Car Club International.
chaircouple@fgcc.com
FGCcouples.com
Social group for same gender couples. P.O. Box 7925Tampa, FL 33679-7925.
(727) 849-6962.
Pasco County’s only AA meeting for GLBT individuals.
(813) 969-1664
Gay men’s social club.
(813) 891-7098
Saturdays, 9 a.m. Old Hyde Park Village, and Wednesdays, 6:45 p.m., Fred Ball Park.
Phone: Ken (813) 623-6661
Phone: (813) 273-8741.
Cathy_James@yahoo.com.GLSEN Tampa Bay
(813) 258-8817.
GLSENTB@aol.com.
Organization working to end anti-gay bias in Hillsborough County schools. Third Fridays.
Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month.
(727) 895-4439.
(727) 321-7212.
Free household goods, clothing and other items for those living with AIDS/HIV.
(727) 321-3854
metrocharities.org.
A community services organization offering HIV/AIDS case management, counseling services, .
ecg@tampabay.rr.com.
Open meeting for gays and lesbians. Meets Thurs.; 8:15 p.m.; GALAA Club.
(727) 822-2437.
POCAS@aol.com.
AIDS organization dedicated to the needs minorities.
(813) 250-1959.
All proceeds benefit AIDS and breast cancer patients in Tampa Bay.
(727) 345-7688
Pflag@tampabay.rr.com
Justmark.com/pflag/
Fourth Saturdays, 10 a.m. at Saffron’s Restaurant, 1700 Park St. N., St. Pete
(813) 239-2070
Geocities.com/pflagw
Second Tuesdays, 7 p.m. MCC Tampa, 408 E. Cayuga St, Tampa.
(863) 401-3204 or Merry at (863) 606-9288.
(813) 974-4297.
Second and fourth Thursdays during the summer; every Thursdays the rest of the year, 8 p.m. USF Marchall Center.
(813) 231-8817/
Primetimersww.org/tampabay.
Social group for mature gay and bisexual men and those younger men who admire them.
(813) 221-1423.
Second Mondays, 7:30 p.m.
(813) 414-9933.
Toll Free: (800) 881-3600.
Florida’s largest gay and lesbian travel organization.
(813) 237-2436.
Gay male non-sexual nudist group. Meets monthly.
Call Georgia (727) 523-8760.
Support group for cross-dressing and transgendered persons.
John and Leo at (727) 343-8466.
suncoastsquares@yahoo.com.
Tampa Bay Bears
TampaBayBears.com
Second Fridays, 7:30 p.m.. Suncoast Eagle Bar.
(813) 232-3808.
Metrocharities.org/TampaMetroCenter.htm.
6421 N. Florida Ave., Tampa.
(727) 586-4297.
Gay & Lesbian Crisis/Service of Tampa Bay Inc.
(813) 236-3123.
Westfloridagrowlers.com.
Westcare Transgender Self-Awareness
(727) 502-0188.
St. Pete. (727) 502-0188 or Tampa. (813) 226-2141.
Provides free HIV testing. In Pinellas, at WestCare Florida,
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Metro Thrift Store provides gently used FREE household goods, clothing and other merchandise to anyone living with HIV/AIDS. Purchase certificates are available through all case management agencies in Pinellas County.
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