Let 'Em Eat Cake!

Some fun news from the celebration of the gay-marriage ruling on the West Coast from my pal Jim Key, of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center:

Last night a sea of exuberant people filled San Vicente Blvd. in West Hollywood, just south of Santa Monica Blvd, to claim a slice of history for themselves. Nearly a thousand people -- people from all over Southern California -- captured the world’s attention as media outlets from around the globe recorded their elation to the California Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage in the state.
"Today, the Supreme Court said, “'let them eat cake!' And, so, we shall." exclaimed Lorri L. Jean, chief executive officer of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, who, along with her partner of 16 years, cut a slice of the beautifully adorned wedding cake that was topped with a rainbow and a California flag.
In an emotional ceremony, the flag of the "golden state" was carried on stage to join the flags of the other six governments, both state and national, that already recognize the marriage of same-sex couples. Representatives from various LGBT and legal organizations, including Lambda Legal, NCLR and government officials and clergy all elicited cheers, and even some tears. Overflowing with renewed hope for the future, the evening came to a close with the Gay Men’s Chorus singing "It’s a Brand New Day."

I would have loved to have been there to join in the festivities. Michael and I had our own little celebration here in the (212), having dinner at a "real" restaurant for a change (the rather delicious Belgian bistro Markt on Sixth Avenue). What a glorious 24 hours it's been.

But by this afternoon when I picked up the local New York papers, I got a sobering reminder of the struggle that still exists thanks to our so-called "conservative" adversaries. While The New York Times and nearly every other major paper had the California court ruling story on Page 1 -- frequently as the lead or above the fold -- or at least covered in detail, Rupert Murdoch's N.Y. Post treated the landmark ruling as a one-inch brief on page 5. Yet a story about the arrest of a gay cop accused of molesting a young boy -- naturally -- warranted a HUGE (3-line) HEADLINE detailed article and accompanying photo. That's what I call news judgment: giving your readers what they want.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Work Cannes

Brad Pitt + facial hair - bleach job = HOT!

Sporting Goods: Nicolas Kiefer

Germany's Nicolas Kiefer throws his shirt to spectators after he won his round of 16 match against Nikolay Davidenko from Russia at the ATP Masters Series tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday. Kiefer won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

'Knockout' Smile

Mario Lopez looking adorable at his "Knockout Workout" booksigning at Barnes and Noble on Fifth Avenue. (Did he have to keep his shirt on, though?)

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Dusty Would Be Proud: The other day I blogged about discovering the U.K. soul revivalist Duffy. Today I got her debut album, "Rockferry," and there's not a weak song on it. The singles "Mercy" and "Warwick Avenue" sound like they've been radio favorites forever, and "Delayed Devotion," "Syrup & Honey" and "I'm Scared" all sound like they could have hit the charts too. (And the anthemic ending song, "Distant Dreamer," blew me away. A real treat from an exciting new artist. Wouldn't you know it that she played here in NYC on Monday -- just long enough ago for a Johnny-come-lately like me to miss her. (NYT)/(Newsweek)

Holy Ryan White! An HIV-positive man convicted of spitting into the eye and mouth of a Dallas police officer has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. (Are we living in the mid-'80s?) Because the jury decided Willie Campbell had used his spit as a "deadly weapon," the 42-year-old will have to serve half of his sentence before he's even eligible for parole. Now I don't condone spitting at a police officer -- or pretty much anyone besides VH1 "star" New York -- but this is truly outrageous and discriminatory. HIV transmission by way of saliva is unheard of -- which means the entire rationale for the trial is flawed. And even if there is concern, why not test the officer and go from there instead of assuming criminal intent that was clearly did not exist. Surely this must be overturned. (AP)

Super Man: Glenn Conrad Cashin models some classic looks for the new season, like red undies. (FantasticsMag)

Coffee, Tea, Jihadi? Oh, great. Instead of terrorists trying to start fires on planes now the flight attendants are doing it for them. (AP)

What the Dick-ens? Well, have I got an art museum for all of you lovers of penis: the Icelandic Phallological Museum. The founder's collection, which began in 1974 with a single bull's penis that looked something like a riding crop, now boasts 261 preserved members from 90 species. (Human donations wanted.) (Reuters)

Blame Game: A Missouri woman was indicted Thursday for her alleged role in perpetrating a hoax on the online social network MySpace against a 13-year-old neighbor who committed suicide. I can see why the prosecutors feel compelled to do this, but what are we going to do next, indict the little girl's parents for not supervising their daughter's computer use or the mother for admittedly being angry with her daughter when she cried out for help about this situation? (AP)

Hooker On Board: Apparently "Pretty Woman" didn't tell the whole story. Eliot Spitzer's infamous hooker, Ashley Alexandra Dupre -- aka Kristen -- made her first public appearance since the scandal rocked the statehouse, but despite the flashy clothing and accessories, she arrived from her parents' house in New Jersey on a bus at the Port Authority. (So "Desperately Seeking Susan"!) And Ashley, honey: Even a $15 Hunt's Point hooker knows she shouldn't chew gum when she's being followed by the paparazzi. (NYP)

Transgender Ruling: A family court does not have the authority to compel New York City's Administration for Children's Services to pay for a foster child's sex-change operation, an appellate court has ruled. Manhattan Family Court Judge Sheldon Rand had ordered the city to arrange and pay for an operation for Brian L. to become Mariah L. Mariah's motion was backed up by four doctors who said the surgery was needed. In a ruling this week, the Appellate Division judges acknowledged such surgeries could be medically necessary, but found ACS had a rational basis for denying the procedure in this case -- a determination she wasn't yet ready for the operation. (NY Law Journal)

No Belly Aching: I knew my twin sister was somewhere! (AP)

Frequent Four-Legged Flier: For all of you who can't bear to travel without Fido, Passport magazine has a look at the top pet-friendly accommodations (Passport)

Cruising for a Cause: More than 1,800 women boarded Olivia’s first-ever “Cruise for Our Cause” recently and raised $100,000 for the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and its groundbreaking research to end breast cancer in this lifetime. (SLRF)

Not Just a Stage: Tickets are on sale for this summer's gay-friendly True Colors Tour. This year's lineup includes Cyndi Lauper and the B-52's, as well as many others. (Ticket Info)

The Ex Files

So, admittedly I haven't made it out to Shea Stadium this season (we got rained out a week ago today). But is that any reason for my boy David Wright to be carrying on with these people? David, where did we go wrong? ...

The way we were:

Do the Wright Thing

Bat Man

Feelin' All Wright

He's All Wright

David Wright Delivers

David Wright: Prince of the City

David Wright: Double Header

Sunday Worship

David Wright Fuels Up

Extreme MLB Makeover

Take Me Out

The Wright Stuff

All-Star Hotness

Straighten Up and Fly Wright

Vanity Fare

My late friend Larry's mom, Fay, is in town so we're all getting together for dinner this weekend along with Larry's brother, Mark. Michael, Chris and I were trying to pick a fun restaurant and the Waverly Inn came to mind. Anyone up for Eric Dane, John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston sightings?

Ruling: Gays Are People Too!

"We ... conclude that in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples." -- California Supreme Court, May 15, 2008

I'm more relieved than ecstatic (but I am ecstatic!). I only wish Mildred Loving had lived to see this day. (NYT) But meanwhile this headline just came in from my home state: Ariz. House OKs amendment to ban same-sex marriage (AP) I would call it one step forward, two steps back. But given California's place in the pecking order vs. Arizona's, I'm gonna call it five steps forward, a half-step back. All in all, a monumental day for civil rights.

Thursday Ad Watch

Cute boys for MyGaydar.com
That's Robyn Sinclair for Polo Ralph Lauren
Not sure where this one came from, but does it matter?
Jude Law for Dunhill And Ashton Kutcher -- who obviously needs the money -- shows off his CoolPix ...
This week's eye-catching advertisements

Ya Gotta Cyn to Be Saved

Robbie over at Chart Rigger has fun details about the new Cyndi Lauper album, "Bring Ya to the Brink," including a link to a preview of the uber-gay-dance-friendly first single, "Into the Nightlife," (watch your back, Madge; this sounds far better than anything on "Hard Candy"). It appears the Most Unusual One will be performing filming her new video for the song here in Manhattan next week at Splash (extras needed!) -- in what can only be seen as an all-out attack on the gay music-buying public (how Sheena Easton of her!)). Funny enough, I was at Splash (on a tourist visa) back in 1997 when I first heard Cyndi's rousing "comeback" single "You Don't Know" off her "Sisters of Avalon" album. I was certain it would be a huge crossover hit, yet it barely made the Top 20 on the club charts. Those fickle gays. Will be curious to see if "Into the Nightlife" fares any better (it really does sound great).

Eddie Cibrian's Special Delivery

OK, so it's my third Eddie Cibrian video this week. But when you see his package in these white boxer briefs (from the film "Living Out Loud") I predict you'll forgive me for being repetitious.

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Cross Your Gay Fingers: By the time I wake up today, the California Supreme Court will likely have already issued its ruling on whether same-sex couples can marry in the state. I'll never forget where I was when the U.S. Supreme Court finally struck down another sanctioned discrimination of gays (aka Texas' sodomy laws). I am only praying that today will be another landmark ruling for equality for all Americans. In some deep-seated way -- and by no fault of my own or theirs -- I almost find it humiliating to be around my own family with their spouses knowing that Michael and I are not recognized by society -- and can't be -- with the same rights and respect as they are. I so want to see this issued righted in my lifetime. (365Gay)

Taking a Stand: You've really gotta hand it to John Edwards for going out on a limb and endorsing Barack Obama for president now. What a display of courage. Obama, of course, is thrilled to have his first white male supporter. (AP)

Marky Mark Does Men's Health: He may not always be the coolest guy around, but that Mark Wahlberg sure is cute. (BoyCulture)

One Tough Cookie: A 15-year-old girl in Dearborn, Mich., wiped out the competition by selling 17,328 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies! (AP)

Frank Sinatra Stamps: Who wants to lick old blue eyes? (AP)

Don't Call It Love: Dolly Parton doesn't find Howard Stern amusing. (But I do!) (Billboard)

Boy Wonder: Photog Adam Raphael has outdone himself again, this time with model Travis Hanson. (OhLaLaMag)

A GayBroke American: Former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey was crying poor in court yesterday, saying he doesn't have the cash to pay alimony to his ex, Dina Matos. (Might be wise not to go on the talk show circuit next showing off your new mansion, Jim!) (AP)

Abba Dabba Doo! Here's a look at sexy Dominic Cooper, who is likely to be the highlight of the film adaptation of the Broadway hit "Mama Mia." (Towleroad)

RIP: Larry Levine, the recording engineer who helped create Phil Spector’s groundbreaking “wall of sound” technique on hit records by the Crystals, the Ronettes and the Righteous Brothers, as well as the Beach Boys' legendary "Pet Sounds," died May 8 at his home in Encino, Calif. He was 80. It may be corny to say it, but what the hell? Thank you for the music, Mr. Levine. I truly mean that. (NYT)