Best Gay News Magazine

BRAZIL wants Gay Marriage Legal Across Their Nation!

Gay Travel and Gay News — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:01:00 GMT

BRAZIL welcomes Gay Marriage! The authorities in Brazil have ruled that marriage licences should not be denied to same-sex couples.

The National Council of Justice, which oversees the Brazilian judicial system and is headed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, said government offices that issue marriage licenses had no standing to reject gay couples.

The Supreme Court "affirmed that the expression of homosexuality and homosexual affection cannot serve as a basis for discriminatory treatment, which has no support in the Constitution," said Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa on the council's website, referring to a 2011 ruling by the top court.

Barbosa also said there was no reason for the government's marriage licensing offices to wait for the Brazilian Congress to pass a law authorising same-sex marriage.

The council that oversees the country's judiciary said it was wrong for some offices just to issue civil union documents when the couple wanted full marriage certificates.

Correspondents say the decision in effect authorises gay marriage.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Survey

Gay Travel and Gay News — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:14:55 GMT

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

We are the uncompromising national voice for full LGBT equality. The Task Force creates change by building LGBT political power from the ground up.

We bolster the strength of local LGBT activism in rural enclaves, small towns and cities nationwide. We build grassroots political muscle at every level by training activists, strengthening the infrastructure of local and state allies and organizing broad-based campaigns creating public support for full equality of LGBT people. Learn more about our Organizing & Training and Movement Building efforts.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is conducting a nationwide survey on issues that are important to the LGBT community. With more and more consistent wins for marriage equality, the Task Force is already thinking about what’s next including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to end discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace, immigration and protecting our youth and aging communities.

Please help them by taking this short survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MoreThanMarriage

Male Model Search from Gregg Homme

Gay Travel and Gay News — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:34:26 GMT

Do you have what it takes to be…

GREGG HOMME’S NEXT TOP MODEL?

Enter to win an ALL-EXPENSE paid trip to Montreal, QC JULY 2013 to shoot our new F/W Collection and video!

*Please submit photos and measurements to marketing@gregghomme.com

*Open to all countries
*Must have a valid Passport
*All Entries must be received by June 16, 2013

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HELP WANTED for NORMANDIE at Farmers Market - Los Angeles

Gay Travel and Gay News — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:03:11 GMT

Chef Josette LeBlond is founder and President of Normandie Pate Inc. In 1985, Normandie started out as the first manufacturer of fine French pates and sausages in Los Angeles.

Today, the Normandie label can be seen not only on pates but on bakery goods for airlines, grocery chains and restaurants in California and Nevada.

Josette’s perseverance and hard-working ethic have brought her key accounts such as Disneyland Hotels, The Biltmore, Macy’s, and grocery chains like Whole Foods, Bristol Farms and Pavillions. Hotel restaurants in the Marriott, Hyatt and Ritz Carlton also enjoy her fine pates and baked goods. Award-winning restaurants, like Joan’s on Third in Los Angeles, utilize Normandie’s baguettes as the star component of their sandwiches.

In 2011, Chef Josette expanded the Normandie brand to Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax. Normandie Farmers Market serves breads, croissants, pastries, cakes and pies. In 2012 Chef Josette opened a restaurant in her Normandie Bakery calling it Josette’s Bistro, and serving authentic French bistro cuisine at affordable prices.

HELP WANTED:

Chef Josette is Looking for Server bilingual French, Spanish English for bakery, at the farmers market at Fairfax ( part time, evening) 5pm-9pm

PLEASE RESPOND BY EMAIL
if you are interested.

No phone calls, please.

This is an exciting opportunity to work for this amazing company!

David Burtka Gives Neil Patrick Harris the Most Amazing Birthday Gift

Gay Travel and Gay News — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:18:00 GMT

This is most creative birthday present EVER!

Check it out!

DELAWARE Passes Gay Marriage and Minnesota Could be next!

Gay Travel and Gay News — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:11:01 GMT

DELAWARE has now passed Marriage Equality making them the 11th state!

Minnesota and Illinois could also bass bill this month! This is so exciting to see state by state, voting in our favor!

Late Tuesday afternoon, in a 12-9 bipartisan vote, the Delaware Senate gave final approval to HB 75, a bill granting same-sex couples the freedom to marry in that state effective July 1 of this year. The Delaware House of Representatives passed the measure last month by a vote of 23-18.

Democratic Governor Jack Markell signed HB 75 into law just minutes later, reportedly telling the crowd, "I do not intend to make any of you wait one minute longer."

With the addition of Delaware to the equality column, eleven U.S. states plus Washington, D.C. allow same-sex couples the freedom to marry. Fifty-one million people -- sixteen percent of the American population -- now live in marriage equality states.

That number may soon swell yet again, as Minnesota appears poised to move forward on equal marriage legislation. That state's Democratic House speaker scheduled a vote on a same-sex marriage bill for Thursday, a move he had vowed not to do unless the votes required for passage were secured. If the bill clears the House, the Senate could vote on it as early as Saturday; leaders in that chamber are similarly confident that the votes are there for passage. Pro-equality Governor Mark Dayton has pledged to sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.

Illinois is on the final vote - but there are some Republicans SCARED to vote YES.

Illinois Republicans have just forced state party chair Pat Brady to resign because of his support for gay marriage.

What is this, Alabama?

Brady, rather famously, came out in support of gay marriage in January of this year, and even made phone calls to lawmakers urging them to support gay marriage legislation before the Illinois legislature.

And now he’s politically-dead, killed by a Republican party so permeated with hate and intolerance that even in a moderate-Republican state like Illinois, the GOP just couldn’t stomach having a gay friendly man as party chair.

International DJ Peter Rauhofer Dies

Gay Travel and Gay News — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:32:00 GMT

Recently it was announced on his Facebook page, that international DJ Peter Rauhofer was battling a brain tumor. Sadly, he has passed, according to a new message posted on his Facebook page by his manager, Angelo Russo:

Today the music industry has lost one of it's true heroes.

With a heavy heart I must now report that Peter Rauhofer has lost his battle with brain cancer.

He passed quietly today and is survived by his mother, Helga, who resides in Austria.

She will transport Peter back home to his final resting place there, but to all that knew Peter, his heart will always be in New York City.

It makes me sad, not only that I have lost a friend, but that the world has lost an amazing talent and that future generations will never get to understand the magic that Peter created night after night all over the world.

He is gone too soon but we will always have the vast body of music that Peter left for us.

Through his music, Peter will live forever. The brightest stars always burn out too soon. Peter, you were loved and you will be terribly missed. Goodbye my friend. Please rest in peace knowing that you have brought so much joy to so many of us. I ask that his true fans keep his legacy alive by sharing his music with anyone who may not have had the opportunity to experience it for themselves.

Rauhofer was 48.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family.

LGBT Gay Pride Debit Visa Card

Gay Travel and Gay News — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:12:19 GMT

Pride is more than a day of parades and parties. Pride is something you live everyday and carry with you everywhere that you go.

And now you can show your pride every time you take out your wallet with the CARD.com LGBT Pride Debit Visa card. The LGBT Pride Debit Visa card gives you all the perks of both a credit card and a checking account - but without the fees - regardless of your credit standing.

Use it wherever Visa is accepted, withdraw funds at thousands of ATMs, conveniently load money with Western Union, PayPal, bank transfers, MoneyPak, direct deposit of wages or federal benefits payments. 24/7/365, it’s always available whenever you need it. Your card gives you everything you need, with no minimum balance or bank history requirements, and your LGBT Pride Prepaid Debit Visa card is FDIC insured for the full balance on the card with zero liability protection - just like other credit products. Carry the card that affirms your pride. The LGBT Pride Prepaid Visa Debit card from CARD.com.

get yours today!

Rhode Island is State Number 10 for Marriage Equality

Gay Travel and Gay News — Fri, 03 May 2013 06:39:00 GMT

ILLINOIS was hoping to be state number 10 -

but Rhode Island beat them to it!

Gays, lesbians, their friends and families erupted into cheers Thursday following a final 56-15 vote in the Rhode Island House, and then again an hour later when Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the bill into law on the Statehouse steps.

"Democracy feels good, doesn't it?" said House Speaker Gordon Fox, D-Providence, who is gay. Fox struggled to keep his composure as he addressed the crowd at the Statehouse, looking over at his longtime partner, Marcus LaFond. "This tells me our relationship does matter. It means that we mean something."

The first marriages will take place Aug. 1, when the new law takes effect.

Sales on #98 Jerseys Soar After Jason Collins Coming Out

Gay Travel and Gay News — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:43:25 GMT

We are seeing so many great strides in the gay rights movement right now and positive action from so many LGBT supporters! The acceptance we are witnessing this year is overwhelming!

Being gay is no longer a bad career move. There is solidarity in numbers and that is why coming out is SO IMPORTANT!

ABC News reports that sales on #98 jerseys soared this week!:

Team spokesman Scott Hall told ABC News that 100 percent of custom jerseys ordered from the team’s online store bore Collins’ name and number, 98, on the back, after Collins revealed his homosexuality in an article published on Sports Illustrated’s website on Monday...While Hall could not reveal how many custom Collins jerseys were sold, he said that the team’s general merchandise sales and online traffic spiked following Collins’ announcement.

I never knew that the "98" was a tribute to Matthew Shepard. Even Judy Shepard was not aware of the tribute to her gay son.

The mother of a gay University of Wyoming student who was robbed and beaten to death in 1998 says she finds it touching that NBA veteran Jason Collins honored her son by wearing jersey No. 98.

Matthew Shepard’s mother, Judy, said that she hadn’t known about the tribute by Collins, who this week became the first player still active in one of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues to announce that he is gay.

"We’re very touched that he regards Matthew as somebody special," Judy Shepard said in a telephone interview. "We’re especially happy that now he feels free to be himself. We’re happy for him, relieved that his news is being received so well across the board."

While Collins hid his sexual orientation up until now, he said he quietly made a statement for gay rights by wearing No. 98 with the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards. The number refers to 1998, the year Matthew Shepard was tied to a fence and beaten outside Laramie.

Georgia Holt - Cher's Mom - Releases "Honky Tonk Woman" First CD At Age 86!

Gay Travel and Gay News — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:30:14 GMT

Georgia Holt - Cher's Mom - Releases "Honky Tonk Woman" Her First CD At Age 86!

The release of thirty year old recording includes a duet with Cher, which they sang on Ellen this week. The CD coincides with a Lifetime documentary Cher did called, "Dear Mom, Love Cher". It airs May 6th.

Recorded in Los Angeles in 1980 when Georgia hooked up with Elvis Presley's musicians, the country/pop album was never released. The tapes sat in Holt's garage for over 30 years before being rediscovered, restored and mixed by The Voice's Musical Director Paul Mirkovich, who is also Cher's musical director along with Ollie Marland and Jorge Velasco.

Georgia was a beauty queen, actress and model in her early life and always dreamed of a singing career. Cher has put together a documentary on the extraordinary life of Georgia.

Cher, who is now 67, dropped out of school at 16, left her mother's house, and moved with a friend into Los Angeles, to pursue her dreams. There she had a short affair with Warren Beatty and then met Sonny. And the rest is history!

OraQuick at home Confidential HIV Test Kit

Gay Travel and Gay News — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:45:00 GMT

OraQuick^® is the first FDA-approved oral swab in-home test for HIV-1 and HIV-2. It's an oral swab test that doesn't require blood. It's completely private. And it's based on the same HIV test that healthcare professionals have used since 2004.

With the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, you can take the first step toward learning your HIV status. Find out in just 20 minutes in the comfort and privacy of your own home. The results are completely confidential.

OraQuick is painless. It uses an oral swab to test for your body's response to fighting the HIV virus. No blood required. Healthcare professionals have used oral tests for HIV since 2004.

ORDER ONLINE safely and confidentially.

NBA's Jason Collins "I'm Black and Gay!"

Gay Travel and Gay News — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:43:30 GMT

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.

CODY EDWARD DIORIO, 22, MISSING From LANARK VILLIAGE, FLORIDA

Gay Travel and Gay News — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:21:07 GMT

CODY EDWARD DIORIO, 22, MISSING From LANARK VILLIAGE, FLORIDA Since 04/01/2013: The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance with locating Cody Edward Diorio. Mr. Diorio was last seen in Lanark Village on April 1st, at approximately 11:30 pm. His vehicle was found on April 2nd, a short distance from his home.

If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Investigations at (850) 670-8500 or submit an online tip at this link: http://pas.fdle.state.fl.us/pas/person/viewMissingPerson-118071984.a

Please share Cody's flyer with your friends. A online flyer is a excellent way to get the word out about a missing person.

Boy Scouts may Finally End Gay Ban...Sort Of

Gay Travel and Gay News — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:02:12 GMT

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.

The decision must be approved by the roughly 1,400 voting members of the Scouts’ National Council at a meeting in Texas the week of May 20.

“No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone,” the proposed policy states. But the organization “will maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders.”

Openly Gay Rick Welts (former NBA) Talks Gay and Nike Dollars

Gay Travel and Gay News — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:47:45 GMT

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

In Bloomberg this week.... By the time former Phoenix Suns executive Rick Welts’s I-am-gay announcement appeared on the front page of the May 15, 2011, New York Times, he already had revealed his secret to friends, co-workers and business associates.

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, Belinda Carlisle's Gay Son, Stars in new Gay Movie

Gay Travel and Gay News — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 23:19:25 GMT

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.

In April 2010, The Advocate listed Mason as one of the most influential young LGBT Americans in their "Forty Under 40" issue, and in March 2011 he was voted into AfterElton.com's list of the top 50 gay/bisexual male celebrities.

He also, in 2011 and 2012, was included on AfterElton.com's Hot 100 list. Mason was named in OUT magazine's "Out 100" issue as one of the 100 most influential LGBT people in the world in 2011.

WOW! Thats a lot of credits!

A few days ago he posted a link on his facebook page, to the film he is working on...

Finally it is here! The official teaser for my new film project "Disappear Here". Major casting announcements are forthcoming with the full feature set to be shot later this year. But in the meantime, here's a taste of what's to come.

NHL says ITS OK TO BE GAY AND PLAY HOCKEY!

Gay Travel and Gay News — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:35:18 GMT

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.

(In the U.S., no male athlete in any of the four major pro sports has come out during his playing career.)

The N.H.L. said it had formed a partnership with the You Can Play Project, an advocacy group pledged to fight homophobia in sports, and planned training and counseling on gay issues for its teams and players.

The league will also be involved in the production and broadcast of public service announcements. “Our motto is Hockey Is for Everyone, and our partnership with You Can Play certifies that position in a clear and unequivocal way,” N.H.L. Commissioner Gary Bettman said in the statement. “We are delighted to reaffirm through this joint venture with the N.H.L. Players’ Association that the official policy of the N.H.L. is one of inclusion on the ice, in our locker rooms and in the stands.”

Every day, more and more and more people are joining in our fight for equal rights! It is an amazing time we are witnessing. The tide, has turned!! Forever!!

Bill O'Reilly Gives Full Support to Gay Marriage

Gay Travel and Gay News — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:27:13 GMT

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.

He had previously said that he supports civil unions for gay and lesbian couples, but has said that nobody has the "right" to marry; he says that marriage, like driving a car, is a privilege, not a right. He has said that if the government felt marriage was a right, then it would not stop polygamists and incestuous couples from marrying. O'Reilly further explained his position in his book Culture Warrior

"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.

MAN UP with Out, Loud and Proud Ross Mathews

Gay Travel and Gay News — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:09:51 GMT

As a young kid growing up in a farm town, Ross Mathews might as well have wished for a pet unicorn or a magical calorie-free cookie tree to grow in his front yard.

Either of those far-fetched fantasies would've probably been more likely to come true than his real dream: Working on television in Hollywood, California. I mean, seriously, that stuff just doesn't happen to people like Ross. But guess what. It totally did.

Who knew - everyone would fall in love with Ross? We have been watching Ross's rise to fame and it is so great to see a very gay man! Rise to such great heights. He is just so likable, honest and real. The public responds well to him.

Ross Mathews, is now one of the most in-demand television personalities today. Ross has traveled the world as a Tonight Show correspondent, interviewing everyone from Oscar winners to British royalty, quickly becoming a late-night television staple and a favorite of the public.

Currently, Ross continues his Tonight Show correspondent duties, is a weekly regular panelist and occasional guest host on E!'s hit late-night talk show Chelsea Lately and a fixture on the E! Networks' live red carpet award show coverage and E! News.

Last month Ross worked on a talk show pilot, produced by Chelsea Handler's Borderline Amazing Productions that Mathews hosted, wrote and co-produced!

Ross recently signed a book deal and the book will out May 7th. The book, Man Up!: Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence , will be Mathews’ first and include a humorous collection of observations and personal stories and takes readers inside Mathews’ personal journey as a super fan, revealing the most embarrassing and hilarious moments of his small town life and big city adventures, and how he managed to turn an obsession with pop culture into one on one interactions with celebrities like Paltrow, Tiffani-Amber Theissen, Madonna, and Michelle Kwan [to name a few] without ever having a single restraining order issued against him. It also will feature a foreword by actress Gwyneth Paltrow and an afterword by late-night host Chelsea Handler.

"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!