Seriously -- Read this.

Harvey Fierstein writes with blazing truth (just check out the film Torch Song Trilogy) -- I feel that writing my own ideas would simply diminish the power of his. So I am shutting my mouth, and sitting on my weary keyboard-hungry hands -- taking a moment to contemplate the gift of someone who speaks what I'm feeling -- someone who is seamlessly able to put into words... that unspeakable knot in my stomach that single-handedly propels this blog. God bless that gay. I did not write this. But you should still read it.

A Bit of Mandatory Reading (unabridged) from the New York Times on April 13th

AMERICA is watching Don Imus’s self-immolation in a state of shock and awe. And I’m watching America with wry amusement.

Since I’m a second-class citizen — a gay man — my seats for the ballgame of American discourse are way back in the bleachers. I don’t have to wait long for a shock jock or stand-up comedian to slip up with hateful epithets aimed at me and mine. Hate speak against homosexuals is as commonplace as spam. It’s daily traffic for those who profess themselves to be regular Joes, men of God, public servants who live off my tax dollars, as well as any number of celebrities.

In fact, I get a good chuckle whenever someone refers to “the media” as an agent of “the gay agenda.” There are entire channels, like Spike TV, that couldn’t fill an hour of programming if required to remove their sexist and homophobic content. We’ve got a president and a large part of Congress willing to change the Constitution so they can deprive of us our rights because they feel we are not “normal.”

So I’m used to catching foul balls up here in the cheap seats. What I am really enjoying is watching the rest of you act as if you had no idea that prejudice was alive and well in your hearts and minds.
For the past two decades political correctness has been derided as a surrender to thin-skinned, humorless, uptight oversensitive sissies. Well, you anti-politically correct people have won the battle, and we’re all now feasting on the spoils of your victory. During the last few months alone we’ve had a few comedians spout racism, a basketball coach put forth anti-Semitism and several high-profile spoutings of anti-gay epithets.

What surprises me, I guess, is how choosy the anti-P.C. crowd is about which hate speech it will not tolerate.

Sure, there were voices of protest when the TV actor Isaiah Washington called a gay colleague a “faggot.” But corporate America didn’t pull its advertising from “Grey’s Anatomy,” as it did with Mr. Imus, did it? And when Ann Coulter likewise tagged a presidential candidate last month, she paid no real price.

In fact, when Bill Maher discussed Ms. Coulter’s remarks on his HBO show, he repeated the slur no fewer than four times himself; each mention, I must note, solicited a laugh from his audience. No one called for any sort of apology from him. (Well, actually, I did, so the following week he only used it once.)

Face it, if a Pentagon general, his salary paid with my tax dollars, can label homosexual acts as “immoral” without a call for his dismissal, who are the moral high and mighty kidding?

Our nation, historically bursting with generosity toward strangers, remains remarkably unkind toward its own. Just under our gleaming patina of inclusiveness, we harbor corroding guts. America, I tell you that it doesn’t matter how many times you brush your teeth. If your insides are rotting your breath will stink. So, how do you people choose which hate to embrace, which to forgive with a wink and a week in rehab, and which to protest? Where’s my copy of that rule book?

Let me cite a non-volatile example of how prejudice can cohabit unchecked with good intentions. I am a huge fan of David Letterman’s. I watch the opening of his show a couple of times a week and have done so for decades. Without fail, in his opening monologue or skit Mr. Letterman makes a joke about someone being fat. I kid you not. Will that destroy our nation? Should he be fired or lose his sponsors? Obviously not.

But I think that there is something deeper going on at the Letterman studio than coincidence. And, as I’ve said, I cite this example simply to illustrate that all kinds of prejudice exist in the human heart. Some are harmless. Some not so harmless. But we need to understand who we are if we wish to change. (In the interest of full disclosure, I should confess to not only being a gay American, but also a fat one. Yes, I’m a double winner.)

I urge you to look around, or better yet, listen around and become aware of the prejudice in everyday life. We are so surrounded by expressions of intolerance that I am in shock and awe that anyone noticed all these recent high-profile instances. Still, I’m gladdened because our no longer being deaf to them may signal their eventual eradication.

The real point is that you cannot harbor malice toward others and then cry foul when someone displays intolerance against you. Prejudice tolerated is intolerance encouraged. Rise up in righteousness when you witness the words and deeds of hate, but only if you are willing to rise up against them all, including your own. Otherwise suffer the slings and arrows of disrespect silently.

--Harvey Fierstein is an actor and playwright.

The Art of Distraction (Part Deux)

Life has been a bit ridiculous and crazy -- so not a whole lot of amazing insights -- on top of that, I question the literacy of my inner circle-- for them, something easy to comment on ...

The GW Special (complete with hyperlinks)

Oy.

When asked about the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Gen. Peter Pace's) comments that homosexuality was immoral -- GEORGE BUSH ~in his signature bone-headed fashion~ skirted around the subject to say instead, that he stands by the "Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy".

*Slams head on desk* *Flatlines------------*

Eh, this has been hashed out so many times -- not sure I could offer any new ideas --I'm always so overwhelmed with disgust. Everytime I want to voice my disdain for the current administration, my passion catches in my throat, too beaten down with the reality of today's political and social climate to put up a fight. It is times like these that we must get the 'big guns' out -- and for that call to arms - I give you my dear comedienne, patriot,inspiration Margaret Cho: (the following is an excerpt from her funny as shit concert film "Cho Revolution")

"Don't Ask Don't Tell. Don't Ask Don't Tell:" How dare they? How dare they ask you to die for your country and not allow you to be who you are? (applause) As if you could win a war without lesbians. (laughter and applause). "Who gonna read the map?"

Yeah... enough said.

Remember When 'Gay' Meant Happy ?

Ahhh....Easter. Did you know that April 9Th marks the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll? This glorious little tradition is essentially an activity that harkens back to the days of yore, (oh, days of yore -- how I miss you) where families come to Washington DC - celebrating a holiday that promotes familial unity in and of itself. This gathering provided an opportunity to show their love of Easter as well as their undying allegiance to their country (thus killing two proverbial birds with one stone).

However -- some may (or may not) remember last Easter, when gay families that had shown up to the event were shut out of the opening ceremonies and photo ops with First Lady Laura Bush... Happy Easter indeed. Where was the sense of family? Of good will? On Easter of all days? What benevolent, neighborly Easter spirit?

Fast forward to this year -- when families in the GLBT community pre-emptively advertise their presence. This year the families are showing up in droves, with a message about familial identities in the Queer Community, and the importance surrounding the legalisation of same sex marriages. Adverts for this outing state some pretty astounding figures:

* Marriage provides over 1,138 federal (and hundreds more state-level) protections, rights, and responsibilities, along with intangible benefits, to committed couples and their families.
* Same-sex couples are raising children in at least 96% of all US counties.
* Nearly one quarter of all same-sex couples are raising children.
* More than 25 years of research have documented that there is no relationship between parents' sexual orientation and any measure of a child's emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral adjustment, demonstrating no risk to children raised by gay and lesbian parents.

The message here? Come on we are talking about families, people who love each other and simply want that love to be recognized. Is it hurting your ideals? Can America be the land of the free when the first lady refuses a photo op with a large percentage of her husband's constituents? Can we have a Happy Easter when this administration seems hell bent (yes, hell in relation to THEM.... not us) on creating second class citizens?

If we are becoming so obsessed with tradition -- and the common good of man -- why can't we assign new meanings to these time honored traditions of marriage ? Of fairness? Of good will?

I for one, don't remember when 'gay' meant happy -- but for so many reasons (insert sappy music) I wish you all, from the bottom of my disenfranchised heart : a very Gay Easter... one that rivals every Easter that has come before - or will come again.

Just to save face after this sentimental, Easter-laden tirade ~~ A reprieve from my Easter Soap Box:

The Art of Distraction

I am hoping that this feeling that I write too much, and am completely un-interesting might pass (it is a tuesday afterall). But just to test things out -- I'm putting yet another posting that is low on content, but still remains pretty.

So here you are -- some artwork, done at home because Marymount never schedules any art classes at a time that works with my hectic full time student/full time worker status.

here's the most recent --

then you can just view my Old ART... something to keep you awake in the midst of my boring rants and rumblings.

A Moment of Silence

...Because I am absurdly long-winded...

Coulterguiest III ... "they're heeeeeere"

Our darling little Annie Coulter (for those of you who don't know, she seems to be taking the right wing by storm -- a conservative rockstar of moral compassing and dignity) made a splash at this year's CPAC convention, inspiring the conservative youth of America (yet again) with her blazingly hateful rhetoric (which some other ridiculously delusional right wingers call satire).

****In case you were a lazy ass and didn't watch the 34-second clip (I forgive you) She *just* said --- on the record --

"...I wanted to talk about the other democratic presidential candidate John Edwards -- but it turns out you have to go to rehab if you say the word 'faggot'...." Even in baby blue - I can't take away the sting. Sorry -- I tried.
Perhaps some "Little Orphan Annie" background for you -- Last year, and the CPAC Conference (CPAC is the Conservative Political Action Conference) Ann was quoted calling Muslims "RagHeads." Which -- as I'm sure you can infer yourselves -- went over like a white water rafting trip on the Titanic. (is it too soon to joke ?? )

Aside from the fact that they are all wrong I truly don't have a problem with conservatives -- you guys are like the cherry -- I don't like you but I accept that when I buy the original flavors that you are one of the four -- Don't get me wrong -- I will throw you out or push you off on a friend I don't care for, but by no means do I think you don't belong in the package.

But c'mon guys...."Rag-Heads?!?" Or perhaps they recalled her stint on the Today Show with Matt Lauer when she said that "[She] had never seen women enjoying their husbands death so much" -- (This was in reference to the 9.11 widows.) And then when the event rolls around the very next year you're all "Yeah, she was a great speaker -- we should ask her back!! -- She is just what we need to inspire thought and progress among our wide-eyed conservative youth."

Is that how the conversation went?
Don't even get me started on how sick I am of the fact that the worst thing you can possibly infer about the quality of a man (or lack thereof) is that he is a faggot. Coming from such a right wing - blinded by hate - dried up - conservative who is so against the 'gay agenda' one would hope that Ann Coulter *might* think twice before she continue to sodomize American ideals.

(And by sodomize I don't mean the fun... gay way -- I mean ass rape.)

Again, I'm just saying....

Insert Sad Face (a random lamentation)

I joined the conglomeration of bloggers and the like (on technorati.com) - - only to find that much like the last kid picked in gym class, I suck in the blogosphere.

We all must start somewhere.

But I am ranked 2,664,948 (0 links from 0 sites).

I feel as though its written with a smirk.

Then a distantly familiar voice says "If you build it they will come" only to be drowned out by another voice that says "If you don't do well in this class, you don't graduate."

Ok, I'm not solely driven by a need to succeed within the walls of this (fine) institution. But I want to be popular. Pick me! Pick me! Perhaps smaller more random posts might tickle someone's fancy. Even my friends don't seem to be reading about my amazingly long winded, albeit amazingly astute observations.

Is anyone else picking up on the fact that I seem to write as though I have a British accent???????
Oh well.
Eliza Doolittle me any day.



pick me. pick me.

EPIPHANY OF THE DAY: fuck focus groups

Perhaps it's a bit late in the game to talk about the ill-fated SNICKERS commercial that ran on Super Bowl Sunday. Perhaps I am just another one of the faceless voices, jumping on top of my cyber-soapbox, stomping my feet at the injustice.

The ad in question depicts two mechanics who share a Lady and the Tramp-esque liplock in the name of good, old fashioned candy. The commercial shifts gears in the last seconds, when the men double back and proceed to rip out their chest hair in the name of masculinity. Did this tip of my gay flag ? A bit. I saw it for what it was, yet another testiment of homosexuality being the absolute worst thing that can "happen" to a man. The horror of a feminized masculinity woven into the fabric of our beloved country.

Then alternate endings for the commercial surfaced, in which the 'offended' party slams the kisser's head with the hood of the car repeatedly. My gay flag flew up at full mast -- full of effeminate sparkles and rainbow disco balls, I was officially and deeply offended. Can I take a joke? Yes. But forgive me for failing to find the 'funny' in a fucking candy commercial that literally depicted a hate crime. Think that's a little harsh? Overly sensitive? If we lived in a time of equality, I might say that media watch groups like GLADD were up in arms over nothing, but when the leader of the freeworld makes it his personal crusade to take away MY basic human rights on a daily basis ...

Forgive me, but...The laugh catches in my throat. It twists itself into this knot of self-loathing that seems to reside in every gay person... or any minority for that matter. Regardless of whether they live in a farming community or gay mecca, the reality is the same, second class citizens.

To their Snicker-y credit, the delightful candy makers removed the offensive ad, but I'd be lying if I said the chocolatey goodness that I once wholeheartedly enjoyed didn't taste a bit off, the snickery goodness is somehow tainted. Hate does not mix so well with chocolate, (or so it seems -- though I've heard it goes down swimmingly with a well presented cheese plate).

Now the outrage seems to have died down. GLADD is still pissed. My boyfriend is pissed. But the everyone else seems to have moved on. What stays with me is that this wasn't just a lesser known candy bar, trying to shock me into trying it's tasty morsels. It is a billion dollar company, and the ad was broadcast on the night-of-nights, where commercials are reaching their supposed peak.

And it dawns on me, like a thousand gay slurs -- This piece of shit commercial went through HOW MANY FOCUS GROUPS? How many people selected at random saw this commercial and laughed their asses off? It was shown on Super Bowl Sunday ! Out of all the little hopeful ads, SNICKERS tested this and the demographic ate it up -- literally. So the consensus, from corporate heads to focus groups was that SNICKERS had a real winner on their hands?!?! Overly sensitive? Nah. I can take it and dish it with the best of them. Disheartened....? Disgruntled...? Disgusted...? Fuck yes.

Apparently everyone is ridiculously stupid. Did I laugh at first ? Sure, look I'm gay, I get it -- it is one of the most popular punchlines, I walk around worried that I'm the only one who is not in on the joke, because I AM the joke. Then there's a side of me that says that gay rights have come such an incredibly long way -- and to give the world a little credit. Then I sit down to watch the Super Bowl (breaking down gay stereotypes already -- I'm a pioneer that way) and I'm reminded that I'm not paranoid.

Are they out to get me? Not everyone.

But the President of the United States AND Snickers ?!? I challenge anyone to rival that kind of bull shit. Fuck Snickers, Next time I'm hungry... I will wait. (aw, snap)


Check out: http://pamshouseblend.com

First Post

The first posting.... completely full of potential.

Only to be squandered through reckless living and meaningless posts.
Read on for more mediocrity.


(I'm obviously lowering your standards so that I can map out my strategy to surprise you)