By: Brandy Black

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“Speak The Truth” was the theme of the Human Rights Campaign “HRC” gala dinner in Los Angeles.  It was a star-studded evening and I had a chance to chat it up with some of the fabulous celebs that walked the red carpet before the big event.

Michael Manning- Real World DC

B- How was coming out on National TV on Real Word DC?

Michael- “Think of the hardest thing you’ve ever done and have a million eyes on you while you’re doing it.”

B- Any advice you’d give LGBT youth?

Don’t let other people tell you how to live.  You’re born a certain way…just be who you are, show the world that we’re your doctors, your lawyers, we teach in your schools, we drive your busses, we’re just as boring as anyone else so give us the same rights.

Jillian Michael’s from The Biggest Loser

This is a cause that I’m very much behind.  I think it’s extremely important that we support this.  I actually don’t even know what to tell you; it doesn’t even make sense that we’re even here right now, but I’ll do whatever it takes to be supportive.

B- Is this your first HRC event?

Jillian- Yes it is and I’m here to support Suze Orman and KT, her lover; they’ve been tremendous friends and mentors of mine.  I’m very excited.

Kathy Griffin’s mom-

We need marriages to last – I think everyone should get married.

Louis Van Amstel- Dancing With The Stars

Meredith Baxter

Suze Orman and Portia Di Rossi dashed past to the gala right before dinner began.  The room was full of beautiful people laughing and toasting.  Suze Orman opened the evening  by saying,

I find it strange that we need a campaign for all the people in this room, including me.

The crowd cheered.

Over the clinking of dishes and bubbling champagne there were many moving speakers throughout the evening.   Joe Solmonese, the President of the Human Rights Campaign, gave an eloquent speech about how far we’ve come and where we are going.

We are the aggressors and they are the victims, that’s why the Perry trial couldn’t be televised…we are winning…changing laws is what makes life better.

US Senator Barbara Boxer received a standing ovation when she stepped onto the stage.  She spoke in support of the crowd before her with a determination to repeal “don’t ask don’t tell”.

“It is a privilege and honor to work with the HRC.  It is a powerful force and they ask just one thing from their country –to be treated equally.”

She went on to explain that we need to focus on the victories. “After more than 10 years of debate, the Matthew Shepard bill got signed into law.” She talked about ENDA- Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
“I’m going to pick up the baton and do everything I can until ENDA is signed into law.”  Barbara ended her speech  with,

marriage equality is a civil right, plain and simple.  If you make a commitment to honor and love, that’s marriage isn’t it?  I stand for marriage equality strong in my heart- from me to you.

Chelsea Montgomery-Duban, age 16, gave a speech full of laughter and tears.  She has been attending the HRC events with her two dads since she was 9 years old.

“My parents didn’t feel the need to run off and get married right away, but it was important to me. You see, they are both listed on my birth certificate, they are both my parents, but they were strangers in the eyes of the law…my family should have every basic right that is given freely to other couples in the country.  No one has the right to tell them who they love.  My generation isn’t going to sick back quietly and allow people that we love to suffer discrimination.  While I can’t vote yet and I am just getting used to driving, my drive for equality is unstoppable.  This is why I love HRC.”

Kathy Griffin rocked the house with screams and hollers.

“Hello gays and people that support them!”

As expected, she cracked some funny jokes, pitched her “My Life on the D List” show, and boasted about her dress for the gay men in the audience, but after the laughter she brought the house to tears when she began talking about the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy.  She read letters from a gay man in the military and his partner of 10 years regarding their feelings on the matter.  Their words were heart wrenching and a reminder of how truly unfair it is that gays and lesbians are serving a country that they believe in, yet that very country doesn’t believe in them.

Betty Degeneres (Ellen’s mom) introduced Portia de Rossi for the Visibility Award.  Portia explained that she felt awkward receiving an award from the HRC when they do so much and thanked them for their work on her behalf.

“I was an extremely closeted actress for the first few years of my career…I wouldn’t even drive down Santa Monica Blvd because I was afraid people would see me through the window and wonder what I was doing in the gay part of town.  Back then I thought it was no one’s business that I was gay…but over time I came to realize how selfish that is and how important it is to be visible. Because acting, while it’s a fine profession, isn’t really an important thing to do with your life compared to what you can do to advance acceptance and equality in society.  Despite the fact that TV executives tell me that being gay is no longer an issue, it will remain an issue as long as actors continue to hide their sexuality…there are only a handful of actors…brave enough to come out…”

She went on to explain how Proposition 8 changed everything for her;  she found herself having discussions with “so-called ‘liberal people’” about marriage:  “I developed a knack for turning any question into a discussion about gay marriage.  For example, ‘what are you wearing?’ I would say ‘a wedding ring’…talking really is the key ingredient to changing people’s opinions into real lasting change.”

It was a beautiful evening full of truth and a celebration of being one’s self.  So to those of you hiding in the shadows, come out, come out, wherever you are.  Cheers.

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By: Tom Butts

BIG DEAL!

I find it crazy that the 2010 Census claims that they allow same-sex couples and that their families will be a part of the data collected as the 2010 Census forms reach American households this week. However, a large number of single LGBT members who live alone cannot identify their sexual orientation.

LGBT people are basically invisible in the survey that is supposed to reflect the diversity of America’s population – and that’s a big problem. The data collected impacts issues critical to every American – like our health care, our economic stability, and even our safety. And when LGBT people aren’t counted, then we also don’t count when it comes to services, resources … you name it.

The current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which Obama wants repealed, makes it hard to accurately collect data on gays and lesbians who serve in the military. However, the hope is that the 2010 Census will show that more than 60,000 gays are serving their country, BUT will they lose their jobs for telling the truth on a survey that’s required by law?

For gay-rights supporters that say this is a positive move,  I say bullshit!  This is like saying that the new policy of allowing women to not wear panty hose is a positive move in their rights at work.  I find it so interesting and once again find myself getting angry.  Where’s “ACT-UP” when you need them in 2010?

I guess the question needs to be asked:  “What is the purpose of the Census?”

If it’s to collect accurate information about who comprises the population of this country, then more questions need to be asked.

I find this interesting…

The census should also bring to light a lot of misconceptions about the GLBT community, including issues such as gay poverty. One study showed that 20 percent of children with LGBT parents were living in poverty, while their straight counterparts were at 10 percent.

Let’s get one thing right.  It’s still not equal.  So sadly, I checked the box “Unmarried Partner”.  Hmm…I wonder what I would have checked if I resided in California, where I am still legally married?

By: Brandy Black

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Wee Leprachaun

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Make this St. Patrick’s Day fun for the whole family with fun crafts and recipes.

Materials

• Toilet paper tube
• Green craft foam
• Acrylic paints: green, skin-tone, pink, and brown
• Black permanent marker
• Tacky glue
• 4 brown pipe cleaners
• Decorative button

Instructions

1. For this crafty little decoration, first trace around the end of a toilet paper tube onto a piece of green craft foam.
2. Draw a 2 1/2-inch circle around the first circle, then cut them both out to create a hat top and brim and set them aside.
3. Next, using acrylic paints, paint the paper tube green. Add a skin-tone face and hands, plus rosy cheeks, as well as a band of brown paint around the back for hair.
4. Once the paint has dried, use a permanent marker to draw on facial and clothing details, then use tacky glue to stick on 3 coiled brown pipe cleaners: 2 in the back for hair and 1 around the face for a beard. For feet, fold another pipe cleaner in half, then tightly coil and pinch the ends, as shown.
5. Place the folded pipe cleaner inside the tube and glue the feet to the edge. Glue on the hat top and brim and a 5 1/2- by 1/2-inch strip of craft foam for arms.
6. Finally, glue a decorative button to the hat brim.

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Make a Green Stamp

Spread the luck o’ the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day with a homemade shamrock stamp. Use it to decorate paper place mats, coasters, tablecloths, or anything else your little leprechauns wish to dress in green.

Materials

• Heart-shaped cookie cutter (2 1/2 inches wide and long)
• Potato, cut in half
• Paring knife
• Green acrylic paint
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Press a heart-shaped cookie cutter (ours was 2 1/2 inches wide and long) into the cut face of a potato half.
2. With the cutter still in place, use a paring knife to cut the potato from around the heart (a parent’s job).
3. Remove the cutter, then dip the heart into green acrylic paint and press it onto the paper. Repeat to make two more leaves, then use a paintbrush to add a swish for the stem.

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Recipes

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Clover Cupcakes

It doesn’t take the luck of the Irish to make these St. Patty’s Day treats look so sweet — just a clever baking technique.

Ingredients

• Cupcake batter
• Cupcake tins and liners
• Aluminum foil
• White frosting
• Green food coloring
• Toothpick
• Green licorice (we used Twizzlers Rainbow Twists sold in a pack with other colors)

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Instructions

1. Place paper liners in 32 standard muffin cups, then fill each halfway with the batter.
2. For each cupcake, roll three balls of foil (ours were 2/3 inch in diameter) and insert them evenly around the perimeter between the liner and the tin, as shown.
3. Bake the cupcakes for a few minutes less than the package suggests (because there’s less batter per cup than usual), or until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. Allow the cupcakes to cool, then remove them from the tin.
5. Cover each with green frosting (our ratio was 1 teaspoon of green food coloring to one 16-ounce can of white frosting).
6. Use a toothpick to draw leaf veins, and insert a 2-inch-long piece of green licorice for a stem.

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Pot Of Gold

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Surprise your favorite little people today with these wee emerald pots filled with sweet, edible gold.

Ingredients

• 3-ounce box of lemon-flavor gelatin
• 6 limes
• Sugar
• 1 teaspoon of whipped cream

Instructions

1. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with plastic wrap, leaving several inches of overhang on each side (this will make removing the gelatin easier). Combine a 3-ounce box of lemon-flavor gelatin and 1 cup of boiling water in a medium bowl, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved. Stir in 1 cup of cold water, then pour the mixture into the baking dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and chill the gelatin for 4 hours or until firm, then slice the gelatin into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. Cut off the top quarter of each of 6 limes, then, without cutting into the fruit, slice a thin layer of peel from the bottom of each one to help them stand upright. With a small knife, cut around the inside of each lime’s rind to loosen the pulp, then spoon it out to make a shell.
3. Place a pinch of sugar and 1 teaspoon of whipped cream in the bottom of each shell, then fill each lime pot with gelatin gold. Makes 6.

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Crafts and Recipes brought to you by Disney Family Fun

By: Tom Butts

This article I’m about to share with you is true, it’s because of reckless comments like this that I continue to push for family values for all human beings.  This is not only offensive, but extremely harmful to gay families, dare I say worldwide.  Here’s the deal, gay people are very proactive with Latinos in supporting their culture, making them feel welcome compared to their heterosexual counterparts, we understand what it’s like to be a minority.  However, in California, Proposition 8 was supported by a majority of Latinos.  This in part is because of their heritage, religion and upbringing.  We need to educate people, and this “Paquita” (“ita” usually means little, in this case they are completely incorrect – yes, my first jab).

I want every person in Latino communities around the globe to read this and make sure they understand what hatred is being spewed by this woman.

The good side of this…if there is one…

It’s people like her that keep me fired up and fighting for equal rights…or should I say keep me f*cking mad, fuel my fire and make sure that complacency is not an option in my life!

Here’s the article:

We’re used to Paquita la del Barrio hating on men but now the singer is also expressing her homophobia.

‘I rather see a kid die,’ said Paquita to Escandalo TV when asked if she wouldn’t like a gay couple adopting a poor kid off the streets, The singer, who’s made her fame by singing about heartbreak and comparing men to rats, didn’t stop there.

Her homophobic comments continue with the nonsensical ‘my respects to them, I love them very much but’… wait…. she loves gays or should we say ‘them’? If this is her idea of love no wonder Paquita has lots of songs about being dumped. Sure, we can’t expect much from her after all, she don’t seem very progressive and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but since this is our forum we’re going to highly disagree and recommend Paquita gets with the times before she turns into a rata de dos patas herself. Yes Paqui, te perdimos el respeto and kiss your gay fans goodbye!

By: Brandy Black

Lol Kin Castaneda and Judith Vazquez made history on Thursday, March 11th, both in ivory dresses, they tied the knot.  Mexico City is first in Latin America to legalize gay marriage.  The couple and friends were ecstatic.  Congrats to Vasquez and Castaneda and to Mexico City.

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[photo credit: BBC]

By: Tom Butts

Okay, I find this odd, maybe even offensive.  Sean Hayes, who played “Jack McFarland” on Will & Grace is gay as…well, gayer than a three dollar bill, right?  When I saw this headline I thought to myself, wow, now you’re going to tell me that Richard Simmons is gay.  You want to know why this pisses me off, well; I’m going to tell you either way.  I equate closeted people with those Republican hypocrites that take wide stances in toilet stalls at Midwest airports.  Seriously, how can we move forward and just be part of every day life if people pretend they are someone they’re not.  My rant continues below…

After years of refusing to directly answer questions about his sexuality, Sean Hayes finally sits down with a major gay publication to reveals that he is indeed gay. Some quotes from his interview in the April edition of the Advocate:

“I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never.”
(What the f*ck does this mean?  Sorry, still a bit pissed off about him at this point.)

“Why would you go down that path with somebody who’s done so much to contribute to the gay community?” he asks. “That was my beef about it.  What more do you want me to do?  Do you want me to stand on a float?  And then what?  It’s never enough.”
(The level of arrogance…ugh)

“I feel like I’ve contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I’m open to it.  You’re welcome, Advocate.”
(Because he played a gay character…WTF…thank you Sean, you have liberated the GLBT community…)

Okay, I’m finished with my comments.  I’ll just end by saying, “he’s no Ellen Degeneres”.  RANT COMPLETE.

By: Tony Tripoli

You know how celebs are always saying they were in bed asleep when the Oscar nominations came out, and the phone woke them up, when in reality, you know they were perched on the edge of the bed with a Meryl Streep voodoo doll and a pint of Ben and Jerrys, hoping to hear their names called?

Well, that’s ME when they announce a new batch of Dancing With The Stars contestants.

Sadly, again this year, I was not on the list. But, at least Niecy Nash was. And, she’s practically a gay guy.

Boo-ya!

Also making the cut was the most recent himbo Bachelor, who is just doing it to stay away from Vienna, as well as Kate Gosselin, who is for sure doing it to stay away from those kids of hers. Seriously, she saw them at Christmas, and she gooooood.

Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon, but even then was REALLY slow, so….you do the math.

Shannen Doherty has a shot, as long as she only looks out of her good eye,

and Pamela Anderson will at least be entertaining. Watching her try the Vienese Waltz in those Lucite stripper shoes of hers will be must – see TV.

But, my prediction for the champ: soap hunk Aiden Turner,

who is paired with the always sexy Edita Sliwinska. These two are so hot, I’m not sure which one I wanna make out with first!

Twilight dreamboat Robert Pattinson was on the View this week,

and, was asked if he would ever date an older woman. His answer: ”I think Betty White is probably one of the sexiest women in America. She’s vibrant; it’s sexy. I think the more age the better.”

During the commercial break, things took an awkward turn when Barbra Walters asked if he’d be interested in “banging the LifeAlert bracelet right offa me”.

US Magazine claims that Real Atlanta Housewife Kim Zolciack is about to come out of the closet. And, not in some tacky outfit, as per usual, but with a lesbian lover!

They say she has been dating DJ Tracy Young for the past 3 months.

I’m not saying she’s a narcissist, but doesn’t her girlfriend look exactly like her, without the wig and drag makeup?

Oh, and, she’s totally a narcissist.

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Sources claim that Tiger Woods has received phone calls from both President Obama, and former President Bill Clinton.

Obama chastised him for “Making us all look bad” and Clinton said “You go, brother!!! Haha. Damn, I’m just green with envy, brohiem. We gotta grab us a couple beers and chase some tail once this blows over….”

The singing and dancing cast of the hit show GLEE has announced a muli-city tour this May.

Expect arenas full of former class nerds that don’t think they are still nerds, but, are.

Jessica Simpson has been tweeting her love advice. Ok,…. thanks?

Her nuggets of wisdom include: “You can’t love someone else to change them. Happiness comes from accepting who they are.”

I guess she learned that after not accepting who Nick Lachey, Tony Romo, and John Mayer are.

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You can watch Tony on TV GUIDE’S Sexiest Couples of All Time, playing now.

Listen to his podcast : THE COMEDY COUCH WITH DENNIS HENSLEY AND TONY TRIPOLI (free  on iTunes)

OR, see him LIVE at the Fake Gallery, March 14, 21, and 28 at 7pm.

Go to tonytripoli.com for info, or friend him on Facebook.

[photo credit Buzz: Flickr member Mharrsh]

[photo credit Edyta: Flickr member burningkarma]

By: Tom Butts

ABC News’ take on things…

An angry Senator Jim Bunning refused to answer questions from ABC News about his decision to block a bill extending unemployment benefits; he is holding up funding for thousands of families.  The exchange took place as Senator Bunning was getting into an elevator in the Hart Senate Office Building.  “Excuse me!  This is a Senator’s-only elevator!” Bunning thundered.  I tried again to ask his reasons for blocking the bill, Bunning said he already explained his reasons last Thursday, when he said he wanted the $10 billion cost of the bill to be paid for, rather than simply adding to the national debt.  “Excuse me!” he yelled.  “I’ve got to go to the floor!”  As the doors closed, I asked Bunning if he is concerned about those losing their benefits.  He did not answer.  This is all on-camera.  Senator Bunning was even more expressive before the cameras arrived, using a little sign language.  When Senate producer Z. Byron Wolf spotted Bunning exiting his office, Bunning said, “I’m not talking to anybody.”  When Wolf asked him to stay and talk to our cameras, Bunning walked toward the elevator and shot the middle finger over his head.

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Here’s the Tom Butts take on things…

Senator Bunning has explosive diarrhea and the Viagra he’s using isn’t working.  He was in a hurry to get to the elevator because he was about to crap his pants.  Earlier, the “middle finger” was caused by his failure to react to Viagra.  Think about it, what’s worse than explosive diarrhea and being flaccid all the time?  I guess the one thing that works in his favor is that Viagra is covered under the Senator’s insurance plan that WE provide him.  Perhaps we should hold up his insurance payments, anyone in??

March 6, 2010- 6:30-8:30PM

Club will open to the public at 8:30PM

The Crocker Club *453 South Spring Street * Los Angeles, CA 90013-2075 * (213) 239-9099

“A classic LA bank vault-turned restaurant and bar.”

Parking is available across the street by the Rowan Lofts * You can park behind the Eastern Columbia and walk with us!

We are suggesting a donation of $25 or better pp.  In doing so – Chateau Ste Michelle has agreed to match your donation with a glass of wine (or two while supplies last!) .  Appetizers will be served.  Your donation will go 100% to creating new classrooms, fresh linens, and supports 100 kids for an entire year.

Dress code is strictly enforced so be prepared to leave the sneakers, flip flops and T-shirts at home

We are all looking forward to seeing you all – please bring friends. It’s a great cause!

We would like to thank Chatuau Ste Michelle for their generous wine donation. The Crocker Club for the use of their amazing location and The Next Family for helping us promote it.

By: Tony Tripoli

The Celebs have really been going for gold medals in Crazy lately, right?

Tons of gossip blogs are reporting that Avril Levine and Brody Jenner are having secret hook-ups around Hollywood.

I think they’re a great match. He is too dumb to realize she spells Sk8ter Boi wrong.

Details put Robert Pattinson in its 10^th anniversary cover, surrounding him with nude models.

But, he’s not impressed, and, in the article actually says:  “I really hate vaginas. I’m allergic to vaginas.”

I know how you feel, RPatz, I suffer from Seasonal Vaginal Allergies as well…..all year ‘round.

After listening to him talk endlessly about his sexual exploits to any publication that will let him, adult video company Vivid Entertainment has invited John Mayer to direct a movie for them.

Let me suggest a title: “Your body is a wonderland….that can accommodate a large number of other wonderlands.”

Then , maybe a sequel:  “Your body is a Wonderland….with no sensation left in it.”

Okay, enough about them. Let’s talk about me.

A week ago, I caved in to all the endless pressure placed upon me by dozens of friends and co-workers, and finally set up a Facebook page. I resisted as long as I could, motivated by the idea that if I’m not still in touch with you, there is a reason, and it’s your fault. Also, I had the worst break-up of my life last year, and he was really into updating his Facebook status, so, I knew if I ever signed up, I’d start getting chirpy messages from him about how great his life is without me in it. Or, I’d be up all night, in a bathrobe, quietly staring at his page, trying to break the hidden code in his comment replies to his male friends. They’re totally sleeping together; that’s obviously what he meant by “almost done with my taxes…hurray.”

As you can tell, I’m SO over him.

Cut to me, realizing I have 3 shows coming up in March, and I gotta promote. Facebook is effective and free, so, I have to suck it up, and make a page.

Not 10 minutes after opening my account, I have a friend request.

FROM HIM.

Now, I was not prepared for this kind of intimacy with him again, and so soon.

In a panic, I hit ‘Ignore”, and then, as anyone in my position would do, completely unraveled.

After 2 days of listening to me alternately whine and worry – He’d done this twice before, where he texts or emails, then disappears again as soon as I express interest, so I know I need to just cut off all contact- my best friend cracked, and wrote him an email. He told my ex to either step up, and be the man I deserved, or to leave me alone, and let my try to heal. (Nice how he said “Try”, as if it may never actually happen.)

Then, within 5 minutes, my ex replies: “I didn’t send Tony any friend request, and can’t imagine doing so any time soon.” Ouch.

Apparently, my ex had ‘invited me to join’ Facebook when we first met, and their system saves the info, so if you ever do join, those that ‘invited’ you automatically have a friend request for you.

I didn’t know that.

That’s very embarrassing.

So, I am now on Facebook (Friend me if you dare!), and going slowly. Reconnecting with a lot of lovely people from my past. No contact from the ex, which is for the best, I know.

Oh, and I have a best friend who loves me enough to write an angry email defending me, even when I turn out to be wrong.

THAT just may be ‘The Greatest love of All.”

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You can watch Tony on TV GUIDE’S Sexiest Couples of All Time, playing now.

Listen to his podcast : THE COMEDY COUCH WITH DENNIS HENSLEY AND TONY TRIPOLI (free  on iTunes)

OR, see him LIVE at the Fake Gallery, March 14, 21, and 28 at 7pm.

Go to tonytripoli.com for info, or friend him on Facebook.

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