Some Good News (For A Change)

Annise Parker made history Saturday by becoming Houston's first openly gay mayor, seizing 53.6 percent of the vote in the city's hotly contested election.

"This election has changed the world for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. Just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better, and that's what my administration will be about," Parker told supporters after former city attorney Gene Locke conceded defeat.

Of the more than 152,000 residents who turned out to cast ballots in the fourth largest U.S. city Saturday, 81,652 chose Parker — some 11,000 votes more than were placed for Locke.

The election battle leading up to Saturday's balloting was marked by fierce campaigning and anti-gay rhetoric.

Several smaller U.S. cities have openly gay mayors, including Portland, Ore., Providence, R.I., and Cambridge, Mass.

Houston, the country's fourth largest city, is predominantly Democratic and about 25 percent black and one-third Hispanic. About 60,000 of its 2.2 million residents identify as gay or lesbian.

By MONICA RHOR, Associated Press Writer Monica Rhor, Associated Press Writer
 
About time we had some good news for a change.

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Quick Ski Trip

In light of all the recent snow...Park City Utah beckoned.  

I uploaded the podcast before we left, but didn't wait to ensure it was successful, I'm sorry!   Next podcast will be monday.   Hope you're all having a great week, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK to Kevin at The Lisp!

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Nonsense About Terrence

Terrence McWilliams.

I don’t know why that name came to me just now. It’s kind of an odd thing to happen don’t you think? I wonder if there is a Terrence McWilliams somewhere in the world, and if so…......did he just think “Geoff Martin” out of the blue?

Now that would be strange.

I suppose Terrence could be a girl, or maybe not…..no he’s definitely a man….a man born in Sussex….another name (a locale really) that I don’t know a thing about, so it goes quite well with my Terrence.

Lol……’My Terrence’….he’s not really ‘mine’. Hmm there’s another odd thing to think about. Can one own a made up person? Is there a made up law against it? Probably not. If there IS a made up law against owning a made up person (who might be real), I’ll just repeal it because I just elected myself President of made up land. Not much of an election really because the only person in my made up land happens to be good ol’ Terrence. Maybe I’ll make up a friend for him later.

Makes me kind of sad to think of all the billions of people in the world, all the people I could never possibly meet, and I think Terrence is among them.

It’s starting to rain, I should go inside. I hope Terrence is wearing a raincoat. I just made up one for him.

I hear it rains a lot in Sussex.

BTW...I did a google search on 'Terrence Mcwilliams"....that's him in the pic, he's from Ireland. Go figure.

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Monday Must See TV

It takes alot for me to get excited over TV these days.   It's not like when I was a kid and planned my life around the Six Million Dollar Man and Wonder Woman.   But December 7th, I get to be a kid again.

Monday night....TLC....Cake Boss!

If you haven't  seen Cake Boss, It's a fun 'reality' show about an Italian family bakery in Jersey.   It's head baker is a short and loud (and cute) guy named 'Buddy', and he creates all these amazing cakes every week.   Personally, I like Cake Boss MUCH better than Ace of Cakes (another cake show, duh) because Buddy actually makes cake....as opposed to fondant covered rice crispy stuff.

Anyhoo.....the reason Monday's episode is "must see"?   

MISS RICHFIELD 1981 is commissioning a cake! 

If you don't know who Miss Richfield 1981 is, check out her website:  missrichfield.com   She is hysterical!  I can't wait to see this tricked out gay comedic icon interact with my favorite bunch of Guidos (no disrespect intended, I use that with love)!
I love to support/enjoy/savor whenever a proud, out, gay celebrity is featured on mainstream tv......so monday night, you know exactly where I'll be!

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Old Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Aunt Frannie sent this to me this morning.   Thought I'd share.  

You can find the story behind the photo at her blog:  dearauntfrannie.blogspot.com

I'm thinking retirement villas sound like alot of fun.

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Atoms Colliding

Sam Wagstaff.   You probably don't know his name, unless you're in the art world. 

Robert Mapplethorpe.   Maybe his name rings a bell, when you think of iconic and very controversial gay imagery. 

They were two men, who connected during a raw and exciting time.   Wagstaff, born with a pedigree and the privlieges that come with such circumstances, and Mapplethorpe his polar opposite, smashed together like two atoms, and the resulting blast shook the 70s and beyond. 

I watched, "Black, White and Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe" the other night and was enthralled.   It's an amazing true life story about two men, who likely would never have been remembered for much if they hadn't met.   

While many recognize Robert Mapplethorpe as the photographer of explicit subject matter mostly pertaining to gay bondage themes, many don't recognize Sam Wagstaff at all even though he is responsible for shaping and setting the standard for photographic art collecting the world over.   These two men had incredible backstories and when they met, and began a relationship it was amazing.  Of course it took place in the 70s and 80s, and it was in NYC  during a time when gay life was much different...much freer, and raw in some respects than it is now.   The film is FANTASTIC.

If you haven't seen "Black, White and Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe"  you really should.   I watched it free at snagfilms.com which is a spectaular free (and legitimate!) movie site where you can watch scads of documentaries and films for free. 
Enjoy!

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Time Travel Thursday

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Thanks Alot NY

By a vote of 24-38, New York's State Senate has voted against same-sex marriage legislation. 
After demands for a vote on the bill, we finally received one. And it wasn't the answer we were looking for.
Among the "no" votes, inexplicably: political dancer Hiram Monserrate.

Says Sen. Tom Duane, the bill's lead sponsor: "I wasn't expected to be betrayed, and so I have some justified anger. But it's just going to propel me to – I don't want to say redouble my efforts, because my efforts have been pretty strong – but I'm not going to let up. I'm angry. I'm disappointed. I am let down. I'm betrayed. But I am not going away."  source: queerty.com

Although DC did the right thing, analysts warn that even the perception of the tide turning against gay marriage rights success,  spells doom for the other states when they tackle the issue.

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Welcome

Dear Meredith,

Welcome to the Gay Club.
Your membership card and complimentary Birkenstocks are in the mail.
Please remember to read your handbook as you explore your newly public life. 
Although many of us have known for years, we are excited you have taken this very important step.

Best wishes,

The Homosexual Welcoming Committee

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