Scissor Sisters - August 27th

For tickets visit Ticketmaster.

Social Spontaneity in the Summertime

Check out Bruce's column - OFFline - from this week's PGN!

Last Sunday evening, I returned from a weekend in Rehoboth Beach and picked my partner up at the airport. He’d spent the weekend celebrating his father’s birthday in Ohio. After a quick stop at our condo, we met our friends Craig and Mike for a spontaneous catch-up session at Tavern on Camac. Everyone was relaxed and engaged — with no iPhones or BlackBerrys in sight. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings I’ve had this summer, and it was completely unplanned.

The moral of the story is that some of our most memorable social experiences are those that just happen. It’s important to try new things and mix up your routine at a moment’s notice.

If you’re game for trying something new and exciting in the next two weeks, here are my top recommendations.

On Aug. 12 at 8 p.m., openly gay pop star Adam Lambert will make his first solo concert appearance in Philadelphia at the Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby. Lambert was the runner-up to Kris Allen on the 2009 season of “American Idol.” Lambert’s theatricality, vocal range and (semi-)open homosexuality made him the most polarizing contestant in “Idol” history. Fans of the show loved or loathed his glam-rock persona, style and outspoken nature. The attention thrust Lambert into the national spotlight, cementing him as the season’s breakout star. Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s impossible to ignore Lambert’s talent. Tickets sold quickly since the concert was announced, but check www.LiveNation.com

and other online outlets for availability.

Since the first Boys of Summer party seven years ago, it has become one of gay Philadelphia’s most beloved annual events. Each year, Steve McCann and his team at www.PhillyGayCalendar.com

put together an entertaining evening with more sexy guys than you can count. This year’s event will feature DJ Billy Carroll spinning a combination of classic dance hits and contemporary pop, as well as a live performance by campy queen Pandora Boxx from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Many of Philadelphia’s hottest guys will be in full lifeguard regalia to make sure no one drowns in the sea of muscle. Boys of Summer kicks off at 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. Cover is $10 if you’re wearing a swimsuit and $15 if not.

While the boys party at Voyeur, the ladies will kick up their heels at the first annual Girls of Summer party — also organized by www.PhillyGayCalendar.com. Just across 13th Street, Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St., will be packed to the rafters with Philadelphia’s loveliest ladies. Girls of Summer will also feature a performance by Pandora Boxx and music by DJ Goddess (Trish Silvestri). The Sapphic celebration runs from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Cover charge is $5 for those in swimwear and $8 for those in traditional dress. For more information on Boys and Girls of Summer, visit www.PhillyGayCalendar.com.

From Joan Rivers to Kathy Griffin, many straight female comedians enjoy incredible support from the LGBT community. And in recent years, several lesbian comics, such as Kate Clinton, have enjoyed unparalleled success. On Aug. 19, Philadelphians will have a chance to see some of the world’s best lesbian comics when the Queer Queens of Comedy arrive at the Keswick Theater, 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside. Featuring sets by Poppy Champlin, Carol Leifer and Dana Goldberg, this show is guaranteed to bring on the laughs. Tickets run $19.50-$22.50 and can be purchased at www.queerqueensofcomedy.com.

If you would rather be the one performing than sitting in the audience, don’t forget that the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus is holding auditions from 6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St. If you want to showcase your musical talent and perform with an incredible group of vocalists, throw your hat in the ring. E-mail auditions@pgmc.org

or call (215) 731-9230 to schedule your audition time.

That’s all for this week. E-mail me at bruce@nightlifegay.com to share your stories of social spontaneity, and I’ll post them on my blog at www.nightlifegay.com. ’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer!

Study reveals gay marriage framed as equality in NY and morality in Chicago

Miller-McCune reviewed a study just published in The Social Science Journal which compares coverage of gay marriage in The New York Times and Chicago Tribune. The results may shock you.

“The New York Times was inclined to emphasize the topic of human equality related to the legitimization of gay marriage,” writes the research team, led by Po-Lin Pan of Arkansas State University. “The Chicago Tribune highlighted the importance of human morality associated with the gay-marriage debate.”

The researchers analyzed the content of each paper’s coverage of the issue during the year before and the year after the Nov. 18, 2003 Massachusetts ruling that legalized gay marriage in that state. A total of 120 news stories were studied to determine their approach to the topic, the tone of the writing and the types of sources who were quoted.

Their overall conclusion: “The New York Times embraced the issue of human equality, while the Chicago Tribune attempted to emphasize American family values in the debate over gay marriage.” Specifically, 33 percent of sampled stories in the Times focused on equal rights, compared to 19 percent in the Tribune.

Mexico court upholds gay marriage

Mexico's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a law allowing same-sex marriages in Mexico City is constitutional, rejecting an appeal by federal prosecutors who argued it violated the charter's guarantees to protect the family.

The justices' 8-2 ruling handed a legal victory to hundreds of same-sex couples who have been married in Mexico's capital since the landmark law took effect March 4. When approved last December, it was the first law in Latin America explicitly giving gay marriages the same status as heterosexual ones, including adoption.

The court, however, must still rule on the adoption clause and whether the ruling will affect states outside of the capital. It is expected to address adoption on Monday.
(APPhoto/Eduardo Verdugo)

Target Apologizes For Contribution

The head of Target Corp. apologized today over a political donation to a business group backing a conservative Republican for Minnesota governor, which angered some employees and sparked talk of a customer boycott.

Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel wrote employees to say the discount retailer was "genuinely sorry" over the way a $150,000 contribution to MN Forward donation played out. Steinhafel said Target would set up a review process for future political donations.

MN Forward is running TV ads supporting Republican Tom Emmer, an outspoken conservative opposed to same-sex marriage and other gay-rights initiatives that have come before Minnesota's Legislature.

Steinhafel said the contribution from the corporate treasury to a political effort, which until this year wasn't allowed, was designed to support his stance on economic issues. Ads run by the group were focused on budget policy, not social issues.

"While I firmly believe that a business climate conducive to growth is critical to our future, I realize our decision affected many of you in a way I did not anticipate, and for that I am genuinely sorry," Steinhafel wrote.

He added, "The diversity of our team is an important aspect of our unique culture and our success as a company, and we did not mean to disappoint you, our team or our valued guests." (ap)

White House in a Pickle

President Obama and the White House now have a big problem on their hands. Here is the statement from the White House after Proposition 8 was declared unconstitutional:

The president "has spoken out in opposition to Proposition 8 because it is divisive and discriminatory. He will continue to promote equality for LGBT Americans."

Of course, he had this to say during his election campaign:
"I believe that marriage is between a man and woman and I am not in favor of gay marriage."

So, all Americans deserve to be protected against discrimination and all Americans deserve equality.....except if your gay and want to get married. Does anyone smell a flip-flop coming in 2012?

Proposition 8 News Round-Up

Rachel Maddow:

Rachel Interviews Winning Attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies:

Anderswon Cooper:

AP:

Judge Rules Prop. 8 Unconstitutional

Chief Judge Vaughn Walker has ruled Prop. 8 is unconstitutional on both Equal Protection and Due Process grounds. Huge win. The decision is likely to be appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

CONCLUSION
Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis,the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

REMEDIES
Plaintiffs have demonstrated by overwhelming evidence that Proposition 8 violates their due process and equal protection rights and that they will continue to suffer these constitutional violations until state officials cease enforcement of Proposition 8. California is able to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as it has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same-sex couples and has not suffered any demonstrated harm as a result, see FF 64-66; moreover, California officials have chosen not to defend Proposition 8 in these proceedings.

Because Proposition 8 is unconstitutional under both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, the court orders entry of judgment permanently enjoining its enforcement; prohibiting the official defendants from applying or enforcing Proposition 8 and directing the official defendants that all persons under their control or supervision shall not apply or enforce Proposition 8. The clerk is DIRECTED to enter judgment without bond in favor of plaintiffs and plaintiff-intervenors and against defendants anddefendant-intervenors pursuant to FRCP 58.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Stephen Colbert "I can't be gay"

Stephen Colbert examined GLAAD's Network Responsibility Index and came to the conclusion that he might be gay. Check it out.

Bar AIDS Launches in Philadelphia

Bar AIDS, the bar version of Dining Out for Life, will make its Philadelphia debut on Thursday, August 26th. The event began five years ago in Chicago and will include bars and coffee spots throughout the city. Participating locations will donate a percentage of their proceeds to four local non-profit
organizations of ActionAIDS, the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, Mazzoni Center and Philadelphia FIGHT.

HRC wants Target & Best Buy to "Make it Right"

The Human Rights Campaign placed a full-page ad in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Sunday, asking Target and Best Buy to make it right, after both companies contributed a total of $250,000 to Independent Expenditure Committee MN Forward.

MN Forward supports anti-equality gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. Tom Emmer’s anti-equality views are clear and he is associated with a group that calls for death and violence toward gay people.

“MN Forward may claim to simply be pro-business, but they are supporting an extremist that is not in sync with the majority of Minnesotans in the race for governor of Minnesota," HRC President Joe Solmonese said. "Nobody associated with a group that calls for death and violence toward any group of people belongs in a governor’s mansion, and yet that’s exactly what Tom Emmer is.”

In an open letter to Target and Best Buy in the Star Tribune, HRC asks the two companies to make it up to their fair-minded customer base by making donations to groups that support pro-equality candidates. Both Target and Best Buy have previously scored 100 percent the HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI).

“Target and Best Buy’s long history of inclusion and fairness makes these donations all the more troubling. These multi-billion dollar companies have spent years treating the LGBT community with respect and dignity. Now they have slapped us in the face for $250,000. We had no choice but to call them out in Minnesota’s biggest newspaper,” Solmonese said.

Keith Olbermann talked about the issue last night...check it out.

Rachel talks "Gays on Trains"

Amtrak wants to advertise to the gay community and guess who opposes it? That's right the Family Research Council...big surprise. Check out this report from the Rachel Maddow show.

GOProud crosses picket line in San Diego

That's So Gay Live report:
Robin Tyler long time Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community activist was the key note speaker in the protest against both the Manchester Hyatt and GOProud in San Diego California on July 31, 2010.

Doug Manchester owner of the Manchester Hyatt gave the initial $125,000 to get California's Proposition 8 signature gathering off the ground. Thus ultimately resulting in the removal of the civil right of same gender committed couples to marry in California.

Although Doug Manchester claims to be a proponent of traditional marriage his definition appeared to be monogamy for his wife only. Thus resulting in a recent divorce for him.

GOProud and extremist fringe group within the Republican Party are far right leaning conservatives and they supported Doug Manchester and decided to hold a meeting at the Hyatt.

The social moderate fiscal conservative Log Cabin Republicans in California did not attend the meeting and instead respected the boycott in solidarity with the LGBT community.

The protest was organized by SAME and UniteHere and was a success.

Gay Games Open in Cologne

Countdown and opening:


Opening Ceremony with Taylor Dayne:


Lighting of the flame: