My Fave Rainbow Pics...in honor of Outfest

Gay.xxx Sold for $500,000 - Sets Record

The web domain gay.xxx just sold for $500,000. That total makes it the most expensive domain name sold in an extension that isn't yet open for public registration. The deal was made by the Founders Program offered by .xxx operator ICM Registry, Liberty Media Holdings, aka Corbin Fisher, a Las Vegas-based gay porn production house, who secured the domain for future use.

NYC school board says no to gay bar

Last evening at community school board meeting for NYC's PS 111, members voted not to recommend that Boxers, NYC be granted a liquor license for a new property just down the block from the school. The final decision rests with the State Liquor Control Board, but so much overwhelming opposition does not bode well for the owners of one of Chelsea's most popular gay bars, who are hoping to open their second location in Hell's Kitchen at 10th Ave and 52nd St - but it's a little too close for comfort for the parents of kids who attend PS 111.

Anti-Boxers comments during last night's 3-hour debate represented several distinct viewpoints. Some parents have a problem with any alcohol being served so close to a school, but others take issue with the "Hoostersesque" imagery, signage and language they associate with Boxers, NYC. It's unclear if they would have the same problem with an establishment that uses female images to appeal to straight men. Boxers employs a little suggestive, but playful advertising. But it's undoubtedly one of the most conservative gay bars in New York. They cater to a lot of sports fans, and the owners contribute a great deal to NYC non-profit organizations.

No blatantly homophobic comments were made during the meeting, which is a victory in its own way. It'll be interesting to see what the Liquor Control Board says.

OffTo.com, presenting sponsor of U.S. Mr. Gay, featured on Sirius XM this Saturday

This Saturday, Oct 8, Brian Goldthorpe - one of the Co-Founders and Chief of Communications for OffTo.com - will be a featured guest on "The Focus Group" with Tim Bennett and John Nash on Sirius XM OutQ 108. "The Focus Group" is a weekly show broadcast LIVE every Saturday morning at 11am (EST), with a replay on Sunday at 10am.

Tim and John are leaders in LGBT target marketing and advertising, and their show provides an entertaining look at the OUT side of business. During his 30 minute appearance, Brian will talk about his growth as an OUT entrepreneur and the inspiration for creating OffTo.com, the first discount getaway site that bundles accommodations and activities customized exclusively for LGBT travelers. Listeners and fans are welcome to participate by calling 866-305-6887. For those who don't subscribe to SiriusXM, a free online trial is available at http://www.sirius.com/freetrial. Click to learn more about The Focus Group and OffTo.com.

Alec Mapa Performance Featured in New Philly Weekly

Here's a segment from the article - click here to view the entire piece online

"What do Suzuki St. Pierre, Uncle Bakla, Teddy DeSilva, Adam Benet and Vern Limoso have in common? They’re a colorful sampling of the more than 40 film and television characters played by one of Hollywood’s most dynamic and talented openly gay actors. Alejandro “Alec” Mapa skyrocketed to fame in recent years with roles on Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives , but he’s not new to the Hollywood hustle. Mapa has worked as a stand-up comic and actor since 1987. If you’re not familiar with his comedy style, search for “Alec Mapa Roasts George Takei” on YouTube and try not to wet your pants. He’s outrageous without being offensive, and insightful without being preachy (paging Margaret Cho). And he’s not just out, he’s unapologetic and uncompromising—proving that gay entertainers can be funny, successful and impactful. Mapa works on myriad LGBT-rights issues, including workplace discrimination, bullying, hate crimes and gay marriage. This month, Mapa heads to Philly to headline QComedy Fest."

Indigogo Photos

The Indigogo dance party was held at the Trocadero last Saturday night in Philadelphia. The first time event was the official after party to William Way Community Center's Indigo Ball. Check out these photos by Patrick Hagerty.

RIP Steve Jobs

People all around the world are still in shock over the news about the Apple CEO Steve Jobs. At the age of 56, Jobs lost his battle against pancreatic cancer and died yesterday afternoon.

In the late 1970s, Jobs, with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Mike Markkula and others designed, developed, and marketed one of the first commercially successful lines of personal computers, the Apple II series. In the early 1980s, Jobs was among the first to see the commercial potential of Xerox PARC's mouse-driven graphical user interface, which led to the creation of the Macintosh. After losing a power struggle with the board of directors in 1985, Jobs resigned from Apple and founded NeXT, a computer platform development company specializing in the higher-education and business markets. Apple's subsequent 1996 buyout of NeXT brought Jobs back to the company he co-founded, and he served as its CEO from 1997 until 2011.

In 1986, he acquired the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm Ltd which was spun off as Pixar Animation Studios. He remained CEO and majority shareholder at 50.1 percent until its acquisition by The Walt Disney company in 2006. Consequently Jobs became Disney's largest individual shareholder at 7 percent and a member of Disney's Board of Directors.

Indigo Ball Photos

Philadelphia's William Way Community Center held its annual Indigo Ball fundraiser on Saturday night. Here are a few photos from the event which was held at the Arts Ballroom.












Photos by Patrick Hagerty

Rihanna's next album: "Talk That Talk"

Rihanna’s new album title has been unlocked by fans on her Facebook page. The name of her sixth album is TALK THAT TALK, on sale November 21st.

New Music: Guinevere's "Crazy Crazy"

I'm liking Guinvere's new single "Crazy Crazy". The Toronto diva, named after King Authour's Lady of the Round Table, is releasing the single off her upcoming album. Of course, the hot guy in the video is a plus too! Check it out:

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Ben Cohen talks with Steve McCann about his foundation

Phillygaycalendar's Steve McCann caught up with gay sports icon Ben Cohen to talk about his Stand-Up Foundation. The former rugby star tells Steve why he started the foundation that deals with homophobia and bullying. Check it out.

New Campaign Uges PA's Senator Casey To Support "Respect for Marriage Act"

Today, following the successful campaign in Maryland last month by Freedom to Marry, Courage Campaign and Equality Maryland to get Senator Barbara Mikulski to support the Respect for Marriage Act, Equality Pennsylvania, Freedom to Marry and the Courage Campaign announced a joint campaign urging Senator Robert Casey to sign on as a cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill that will overturn the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.

“Over the years, Senator Casey has shown true growth in his understanding and support of LGBT issues and for that Equality Pennsylvania is grateful,” said Ted Martin, Executive Director of Equality Pennsylvania. “Supporting the repeal of the discriminatory and mean-spirited so-called Defense of Marriage Act is yet another large step in this progress and we are happy to join with Freedom to Marry and the Courage Campaign to give voice to the just and equal treatment thousands of LGBT citizens and their allies believe and have called for publicly in letters, conversations and recently quite a number of polls. Supporting repeal is the right choice for the Senator.”

"Loving and committed couples across Pennsylvania and the nation are harmed every day by DOMA," said Marc Solomon, National Campaign Director of Freedom to Marry, the campaign to win marriage nationwide. "We are working with our partners at Equality Pennsylvania and Courage Campaign to make sure that Senator Casey hears from his constituents who want him to join in support of the Respect for Marriage Act."

The three groups will collect signatures from a variety of constituents across Pennsylvania. Currently, Pennsylvania excludes same-sex couples from marriage, but many same-sex couples have married in other states and are harmed by federal marriage discrimination under DOMA.

"I have known Senator Casey for six years and I respect him greatly," said Rick Jacobs, chair and founder of the Courage Campaign, a 700,000 member national, grassroots, progressive online organization. "He is thoughtful, deliberate and he always bends towards justice. Gay and lesbian couples are a part of Pennsylvania and their love is equal to every other Pennsylvanian."

The signatories signed onto a letter that reads:

We write on behalf of thousands of Pennsylvania families who are presently denied critical protections and recognition under the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” or DOMA. As you know, hundreds of Pennsylvania same-sex couples are legally married out of state. However, these married same-sex couples are treated as legal strangers in the eyes of the federal government because of DOMA and excluded from more than 1,100 federal laws in which marital status is a factor, including Social Security, immigration, and family and medical leave.

For the full text of the letter, click here.

Obama working on his view of gay marriage

President Barack Obama says he is "still working" on his views of gay marriage.

Obama's comments come one year after he told liberal bloggers that his views on gay marriage were "evolving." He supports civil unions, but has thus far not backed same-sex marriage.

During an interview with ABC News on Monday, Obama said gay couples should, at a minimum, have strong civil unions. But he stopped short of backing gay marriage.

Obama says his evolving views are influenced by friends, family and children of gay couples he knows who are thriving.

Hank Williams Jr. Compares Obama to Hitler

Crazy Hank Williams Jr. compared President Obama to Hitler on Fox & Friends. Surprisingly, even the Fox crew thought he went to far...check it out.

Obama Speaks at HRC Dinner

President Obama Addresses the 15th Annual HRC National Dinner on Saturday night. The 15th Annual National Dinner drew over 3,000 people to the Washington Convention Center. Check it out at 9:45 minutes in:

Gay Couple Assaulted at Tennessee Church

In crazy news: A gay couple, Jerry Pittman Jr. and Dustin Lee, was assaulted at church in Tennessee. Allegedly, Pittman's father (the pastor) instructed his uncles to do the assaulting! Yeah, listen to this report to get the full story.

Brandon Bradley crowned NY Mr. Gay

Brandon Bradley was crowned the new New York Mr. Gay on Thursday night at Barracuda in NYC. In the photo above, Brandon is with Chris Ryan and Frankie C who produced the event. Mr. New York goes onto to compete in the U.S. Mr. Gay which will be held in Philadelphia on November 18th & 19th.

Photo by Patrick Hagerty

Cheney approves repeal of DADT

Former Vice President Dick Cheney was on CNN yesterday where he said he believes the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was 'the right thing to do.' Check it out.

Ohio Billboard War

Rev. Tony Scott and "The Church on Strayer" have 9 new billboards in Ohio like the one above. Scott and the church decided their crazy view should be seen by all in the state after another Ohio church had billboards that said: "Being Gay is a gift from God".

To take it up an notch - some people like Dylan Galos have had enough and now have their own campaign in Ohio: