NEXT WEEK in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated.

I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.

I realized I needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my old roommate at Stanford and now a Massachusetts congressman, told me he had just marched in Boston's 2012 Gay Pride Parade. I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator.

Trying to save the crumbling Boy Scouts and seeking an elusive middle ground on an issue that has divided its ranks and drawn heated national debate, the Boy Scouts of America have proposed ending its longstanding ban on openly gay scouts  BUT  continuing to bar gay adults from serving as leaders. 

NIKE is poised to give the first openly gay pro athlete, to come out, a multi-million dollar sponsorship!

Among those told before the article was published were NBA Commissioner David Stern and senior executives at Nike Inc (NKE)., the world’s largest sporting-goods company whose roster of team- sport athlete endorsers includes Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees and Joe Flacco of the Super Bowl-champion Baltimore Ravens. Nike asked Welts to deliver a message to anyone thinking about becoming the first openly gay athlete in major U.S. team sports -- the company wants him as an endorser. 

“They made it clear to me Nike would embrace it,” Welts, 60, now president of the National Basketball Association’s Golden State Warriors, said in a telephone interview. “The player who does it, they’re going to be amazed at the additional opportunities that are put on the table, not the ones that are taken off.”

According to Bob Witeck, 61, a gay-marketing strategist and corporate consultant, the first openly gay team-sport athlete -- provided he’s a recognizable name -- would earn millions in endorsements and speaking engagements from companies seeking to capture more of a U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adult population whose annual buying power he pegs at almost $800 billion.

“We’ve passed the tipping point to where national advertisers are no longer afraid of the gay market,” said Mark Elderkin, chief executive officer of the Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Gay Ad Network. 

We truly have reached the tipping point! In the last 2 years, more and more LGBTQ supporters have surfaced, to support us and accept us.

How cool is that?  Read the whole story at Bloomberg that talks about the Nike dollars, but also  gay slurs used by athletes and growing team acceptance.

Read the recent interview with Rick Welts.

James Duke Mason is the son of singer Belinda Carlisle and film producer Morgan Mason, and the grandson of the late British actor James Mason. 

Amid heightened speculation that a male athlete in one of North America’s four major professional leagues will soon publicly declare his homosexuality, the National Hockey League and its players announced Thursday what appears to be the most comprehensive measure by a major men’s league in support of gay rights. 

I was never a fan of Bill O'Reilly....until now.  His views were always too far right and I thought he was sort of a jerk!  He spent years railing against gay activists and belittling gay marriage.

"To this culture warrior, gay marriage is not a vital issue. I don't believe the republic will collapse if Larry marries Brendan. However, it is clear that most Americans want heterosexual marriage to maintain its special place in American society. And as long as gays are not penalized in the civil arena, I think the folks should make the call at the ballot box. Traditional marriage is widely seen as a social stabilizer, and I believe that is true."

On March 26, 2013, O'Reilly stated "I support civil unions, I always have. The gay marriage thing, I don’t feel that strongly about it one way or the other. I think the states should do it.” O'Reilly then said, "The compelling argument is on the side of homosexuals ... 'We’re Americans, we just want to be treated like everybody else.' That’s a compelling argument, and to deny that you’ve got to have a very strong argument on the other side. And the other side hasn’t been able to do anything but thump the Bible."

The Hollywood Reporter quizzed FOX News host Bill O'Reilly about his remarks during the Supreme Court marriage hearings that the "compelling argument is on the side of homosexuals" and that "Bible thumpers" are losing.

Asked if he stood by those remarks, O'Reilly said that marriage should be left to the states. Asked if he supports DOMA repeal, O'Reilly said Congress should do whatever they want.

"Ross has been a friend of mine for 10 years, and this book is hilariously sad, hilariously naïve and hilariously gay. I love this book,” Handler said.

"The book is about my experiences, thus far, in life. Growing up in a small town and then navigating Hollywood. The theme that’s been running through that is something I talk about on Chelsea a lot; what I’ve coined as “man-up.” I think I always try to man-up," explains Ross. 

"What I mean by that is, understanding you are what you are and you’re going to have your flaws, but rather than heaping a lot of negativity on whatever makes you different or whatever makes you unique, really shine the light on that and use it to make you stand out, I think that’s just something innately that I’ve done my entire life, totally on accident. I probably owe it to my mother, because she was effusive with her compliments, even when they were undeserved. I would love to spread that message. Like, come on, life is short you gotta love yourself. Get over it and let’s keep movin’ on to make a difference in the world."

Mathews currently lives in Los Angeles with his partner, Salvador, and their two rescue dogs, Louise and Mijo. When not working on his many projects, Mathews is a strong supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, speaking at many of their nationwide events and he received their Visibility Award in 2011.

When once asked, Why do you think visibility is so important for our community?

He says, "Oh my gosh, it’s like crazy, super, big time important! I grew up in a teeny farm town in Mount Vernon, Washington, and I was a little gay kid and I didn’t know what it meant to grow up to be a big gay grown-up. I didn’t know any gay people and back then I didn’t see any gay people on TV. I didn’t learn until I went to college that I could be a totally happy grown up, loud, proud, out gay person. It’s a different world now, in part, not to toot my tooter, partly because people like me are on TV, out, loud and proud for a decade now!"

Check our Ross's Blog and grab all of his social media links!

 VIP  TO GLAAD  AWARDS  on  EBAY!

NEWS for Columbus! They're coming...

This Thursday night at 7pm, the anti-gay crew from the Family Research Council and a  controversial anti-gay Baptist church preacher will meet at the Ohio Union on the campus of The Ohio State University to oppose marriage equality.

But don't worry: FREEDOM OHIO will be there too and will be joined by my friend Elyzabeth Holford, the new Executive Director of Equality Ohio. Together, Elyzabeth and I will give these guys a debate they won't soon forget.

 

If you want to join us in person, ABC-6 asks you to fill-out the form located here. If you cannot join us in person, you can watch the live broadcast or live webcast on WSYX Channel 6 or their website.

While we may not change the minds of those on the stage on Thursday, it is clear to a majority of Ohioans that this amendment is about family security, civil rights, and the protection of religious freedom. The truth is, no house of worship will be required to perform or recognize a wedding that conflicts with their teachings and beliefs. At the same time, anti-gay houses of worship and their faithful will not be permitted to stop a loving couple from marrying; because marriage is and always will be a civil right.

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WHO: FreedomOhio and Equality Ohio

WHAT: Marriage Town Hall

WHEN: 7-8 pm Thursday, April 11th

WHERE: The OSU Ohio Union, 1739 N High St. Columbus, OH 43210  

Gunsmoke meets Tom of Finland!

If your mother comes to visit, these may not be sheets for her...

Vice Merchants, a rebelliously luxe bedding company, has released "Cowpokes," a full line of sheets, pillowcases and throws aimed at gay men. Made from 100 percent Egyptian cotton, 400 thread count, fine Sateen bedding fabric, "Cowpokes" features a ranch scene of playfully undressed men engaging in acts of whimsical outdoor fun and farm work, while frolicking in the buff! Illustrated by K. Commodore, cows, horses and tractors further set the scene as hot men work hard and play hard in the foreground.

They are very high quality and soft, as me and my man, rolled around in the hay, on them this past weekend!

"We’re enthusiastic to expand our brand to cater to the gay community," Jake Katz, president of Vice Merchants said. "’Cowpokes’ is a design unlike any other that allows gay men to spice up their bedroom in a subtle, yet enticing and playful manner. With these sheets, every night can feel like a sweaty day with the boys on the ranch."

Vice Merchants is a company that believes your bedding should be as sexy and as much fun as bedtime activities. The company specializes in fine bedding that brings edgy, richly hued graphics created by illustrators.

They worked with Brooklyn-based artist K. Commodore has an M.A. degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, to create these fun sheets. Her work is known for its insightful and witty look at human sexuality, and has been exhibited in numerous galleries throughout the United States and Europe.

When asked, What was the motivation behind the fun farm setting???

Artists Katie Commodoresaid," We all got together to brainstorm the next pattern and decided to go with a traditional toile. My art has always been about usurping traditional mediums or styles and using them as a vehicle for portraying sexuality. So the idea of taking a traditional toile and using fun homoerotic imagery made perfect sense! Traditional toile, which first became fashionable in the 16th century, has images of pastoral scenes; what's more pastoral than cowboys and farm hands???

She says that some  other scenarios considered as well, "Oh Yes! Some of which we will make in the future! But there are only so many drawings I can work on at once!"

"Cowpokes" is available in all sheet sizes with prices ranging from $99 for a Twin Long Sheet set to $235 for a King Sheet set. The print is also available in duvet and sham sets, bed skirts, and throw pillows. A complete nine-piece bedding set can be purchased in Full for $399; Queen for $439; King (and California King) for $499.

You  won't find these at Macy's but you can order them now, discreetly online. And they will be shipped in a plain brown box. VIce Merchants.

 

I first became a fan of ES underwear and swimsuits in 2010, when I found their stores in Barcelona. Now ES Collection has ventured beyond underwear and swimwear.

Already they launched their athletic wear collection and now there is also casual wear. Jeans, shirts, shorts. Yes even awesome colorful sneakers and  cool hip belts.  Wrestling singlets and backless undies, running pants, t-shirts and tanks...You simply have no more reason to not wear ES Collection. In fact, you can fill your  entire closet with complete ES outfits!

 Fierce is a collection for an energetic man, bold and without any complex.

 Remarkable  colors, new fabrics and the genuine ES Collection designs on the new jeans will not leave you indifferent.

ES Collection’s Spring/Summer collection 2013 couldn’t have been more blazing.

And of course ES Collection  always guarantees that same superior quality we all know so well from their swimwear and underwear in this new exciting collection as well.

GORGEOUS Kirill Dowidoff already posed for ES before. In fact, his work with ES Collection back in 2012 was an enormous boost for his modeling career, and the handsome Russian has been offered many gigs ever since. But not forgetting who made that all happen, Kirill agreed once again to collaborate with the popular Spanish brand for their  new Fierce campaign.

ES COLLECTION

Little did I know that I would someday be provided with another opportunity to address this same kind of bigotry. It all began when I attended a gay wedding ceremony in Palm Springs, California. That night, a couple of unforgettable, young men named Shane and Tom joined my table. I learned they were “Designing Women” fans, madly in love and literally brimming with all their big plans for an exciting life together. Sadly, that possibility ended when Tom was killed in an accident last year. When I heard the news, I was haunted by the sheer weight of Shane’s loss. Even though I barely knew them, their good-hearted demeanors and earnest love had made an indelible impression on me.

Then, a few weeks ago, I saw Shane’s YouTube posting, along with his bone crushing grief and the story of what happened to him after Tom’s death—and all because they were never allowed to marry. Like so many others who saw this video, I was deeply touched. And angered. I called Shane told him I wanted to make a documentary that would tell his and Tom’s love story from beginning to end. I have now seen all of Shane and Tom’s videos and home movies. Like a lot of young people, they routinely documented their lives—but this recorded history is so prolific, it almost seems as though they had a premonition or unconscious fear of not getting to live out something important."

The kickstarter campaign went viral! With the incredible support from influential people like Brad and George Takei and Neil Patrick Harris, Bridegroom was successfully funded on July 19, 2012 by over 6,500 people on Kickstarter.com becoming the most funded documentary in the history of crowd funding.

 And now the movie has been made.  Shane says, ""It has been said that sharing personal stories is one of the most effective ways to change people's hearts and minds. This is my story and I hope you are inspired to share it with others."

WOW !

Good thing Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana just became billionaires–because the designers may have to fork over a good chunk of their fortune to the Italian government.

According to WWD, Italy’s Tax Commission is fining the designers a whopping 343.4 million euros, or $440.2 million at current exchange, plus interest, for alleged tax evasion.

Dolce and Gabbana are accused of omitted and unfaithful earnings declarations, specifically related to the 2004 sale of the Dolce & Gabbana and D&G brands to the designers’ Luxembourg-based holding company, Gado Srl. According to Italy’s Internal Revenue Agency, Dolce and Gabbana moved the majority of their wealth to Luxembourg, a well-known tax haven, with the sole purpose of avoiding higher corporate taxes in their home country. The designers, for their part, deny all charges.

The sentence comes after years of yo-yo court decisions. The duo were first charged in 2010, after the Italian government accused them of not reporting over 840 million euros ($1.1 billion) in sales. However, the charges were dropped by a lower court due to lack of evidence.

But, in 2011, Italy’s Supreme Court re-opened the case and also ruled that tax avoidance, or tax mitigation, on an earnings declaration is a criminal offense under the law, and would justify a heftier fine and/or jail time. The $440 million confirms this charge, and denies an appeal Gabbana and Dolce filed with the court."

Now THIS should be a movie!